Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz for resigning from the emergency government.
Gantz announced his resignation on Sunday, claiming that Netanyahu’s approach to post-war Gaza “prevents us from reaching true victory”.
Gantz, a political rival of Netanyahu, agreed to join the emergency government four days after the October 7 attack, when Netanyahu and his government were overwhelmed by the events.
His inclusion led to the formation of a war cabinet, sidelining the radical right members of the coalition and giving Gantz and fellow party member Gadi Eizenkot, both former Israel Defence Chiefs of Staff, significant influence over decision-making.
Gadi Eisenkot also announced his resignation.
Netanyahu said in a post on X, “Benny, now is not the time to abandon the fight, it is the time to combine forces.” adding that “Israel is in an existential war on several fronts”.
“My door will stay open to any Zionist party that is willing to share the burden and help bring victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens,” the Prime Minister went further.
After Gantz’s resignation, Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir offered to join the War Cabinet.
“In light of Gantz’s retirement, I have directed a request to the Prime Minister asking to join the War Cabinet. It is time to make brave decisions, to get real deterrence, and to bring security to the South, the North, and all of Israel,” Ben-Gvir said in a post on X.
Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, now in its eighth month, has killed at least 37,000 Palestinians, a vast majority of them being women, children and infants and wounded almost 90,000 people.
More than 50 experts from the United Nations have called for a “decisive international action” to impose sanctions and arms embargo on Israel over its killing of dozens of Palestinians in a carnage at a makeshift tent camp in Rafah.