Israeli War Cabinet member and former Defence Minister Benjamin “Benny” Gantz has issued an ultimatum demanding a new strategy for the ongoing war in Gaza. Gantz has threatened to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if his demands are not met within three weeks, specifically by 8 June. This step could leave Netanyahu highly dependent upon his far-right allies.
Six-Point Plan
In a statement made on Saturday night, Gantz outlined a six-point plan aimed at bringing a decisive end to the conflict with Hamas. His plan includes –
- The return of Israeli hostages.
- The elimination of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza.
- Establishing an international administration for Gaza’s civilian affairs, involving American, European, Arab and Palestinian elements.
- Returning Israeli residents displaced to the north of Israel by 1 September and rehabilitating the western Negev.
- Advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia as part of a broader alliance against Iran.
- Implementing a national service framework for all Israelis.
I spoke this evening with US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46 .
I emphasised in our call the imperative of increasing the international pressure on Hamas in addition to continuing the military pressure to secure an arrangement to return the hostages and remove the…
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) May 14, 2024
Gantz accused Netanyahu of leading Israel towards disaster by prioritizing personal and political interests over national security. He warned that failure to implement this plan would result in his withdrawal from the government, potentially destabilizing Netanyahu’s coalition.
Israeli Prime Minister’s Response
In response, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement rejecting Gantz’s ultimatum, describing his conditions as detrimental to Israel’s interests. The statement accused Gantz of undermining the war effort and established that his demands would lead to an Israeli defeat and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The office asked Gantz to clarify his position on multiple issues, including his stance on the Palestinian Authority’s involvement in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Reactions
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused Gantz of subversion and being unfit to propose security alternatives. Finance Minister Bezalel Yoel Smotrich criticized Gantz for seeking to end the war prematurely and called for full Israeli control over Gaza. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged Gantz to leave the government immediately, criticizing his delayed action.
Death Toll
According to latest figures, the death toll of the Israel-Gaza War since 7 October, 2023 stands at 35806 people killed in Palestine and 1139 in Israel. Of the former, at least 503 people have been killed in the Occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Global Involvement
International efforts to mediate a ceasefire, led by Qatar, the United States of America and Egypt, have so far yielded little progress. US National Security Adviser Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss the ongoing conflict and potential pathways to resolution.
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