Israel War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz has quit the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the rescue raid in Gaza that left 274 people mostly women and children dead.
Four Hamas held hostages were freed in the raid described as a massacre across much of the Middle East.
As Israel celebrated the hostage rescue Sunday, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shaken by the resignation of Benny Gantz, adding instability to Netanyahu’s already fragile ruling coalition.
Gantz, a popular former military leader, called on Netanyahu to set an autumn election date. Gantz resigned despite Netanyahu’s social media post hours earlier urging him “not leave the emergency government. Don’t give up on unity.” The move does not bring down the government but removes the only centrist from Netanyahu’s conservative coalition. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded Gantz’s cabinet seat.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called Gantz’s decision “important and just.” He called for replacing the “extreme and promiscuous government with a sane government” that will secure the return of the hostages, repair Israel’s economy and restore Israel’s international standing.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory,” Gantz said at a news conference.
“That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.” Agency reports
FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Jerusalem, February 18, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo