Israeli Minister Benny Gantz Announces Departure from Netanyahu's Government

Israeli minister and member of the narrow cabinet for military operations, Benny Gantz, announced on Sunday that he would be leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government after the Israeli administration failed to meet the conditions of his ultimatum issued several weeks ago, which included presenting plans for further actions in the Gaza Strip.

“Unfortunately, Netanyahu is hindering us from moving towards a genuine victory that justifies the painful price we continue to pay. Therefore, today we are leaving the emergency government with a heavy but full heart. Today we are fighting for the fate of the State of Israel. It is only fitting that we head to elections this autumn, on the anniversary of the disaster (the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023), which will ultimately create a government that earns the confidence of the people and can address the issues,” Gantz said in a special address.

Gantz urged Netanyahu to set a date for early elections and not to allow the people of Israel to become “divided.”