Video: Netanyahu’s top rival left the war cabinet. How will it impact Israel and Gaza?

The resignation of a senior member of Israel’s war Cabinet has underscored the deepening mistrust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his strategy for the ongoing eight-month conflict with Hamas.

Benny Gantz’s departure from the war Cabinet doesn’t immediately threaten Netanyahu, who still maintains a majority coalition in parliament. However, it does make Netanyahu more dependent on his far-right allies who oppose the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and advocate for continuing the war.

Here’s a breakdown of what Gantz’s resignation signifies for Israeli politics and the ongoing conflict.

### Why did Gantz resign and what was his plan?

Benny Gantz, a centrist and one of Netanyahu’s main political rivals, resigned due to growing tensions within the war Cabinet over Israel’s strategy in Gaza. Since Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and took 250 hostages on October 7, Netanyahu has vowed to defeat Hamas and bring the hostages home.

As the war dragged on, frustration grew among Israelis, including Gantz, over the lack of progress in securing the hostages’ release and achieving a cease-fire. Critics, including Gantz, accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the country’s needs, prolonging the war to avoid new elections and his corruption trial.

Last month, Gantz issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, threatening to resign by June 8 if Netanyahu did not support a plan to:
– Return hostages
– End Hamas’ rule
– Demilitarize Gaza
– Establish international administration in Gaza
– Normalize relations with Saudi Arabia
– Expand military service to all Israelis

When Netanyahu failed to back the plan, Gantz resigned, citing “hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations” in the cabinet’s decision-making. This resignation returns Gantz to his role as opposition leader in Israel’s parliament.

### What does Gantz’s resignation mean for Israel’s government?

Gantz’s resignation does not immediately destabilize Netanyahu’s coalition, which holds 64 out of 120 seats in parliament. However, Gantz called for elections in the fall during his resignation speech and urged Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to also resign.

Gantz’s exit removes a moderate voice from Israel’s far-right coalition. Initially, his National Unity party joined the emergency government after the Hamas attack as a show of unity. Without Gantz, ultranationalist ministers, who strongly oppose cease-fire deals, may gain more influence.

Notable far-right ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have proposed removing Palestinians from Gaza and re-establishing Israeli settlements there—a policy the war Cabinet has so far rejected.

Netanyahu appealed to Gantz to reconsider his resignation, emphasizing the need for unity over division.

### What does the resignation mean for the war?

The U.S. proposed a cease-fire in early June, which President Biden said Israel supported. With Gantz’s resignation, Netanyahu might be tempted to reject the proposal to maintain his government.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept the cease-fire plan, emphasizing the global support reflected in the U.N. Security Council’s vote.

The U.S.-backed proposal includes:
– A phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
– Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza
– Withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
– A reconstruction initiative

Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have threatened to leave the government if Israel doesn’t continue its military campaign in Gaza. Their departure could fracture the government and trigger new elections, where Netanyahu would likely face significant competition from Gantz.