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Rabat – Israeli minister Benny Gantz has resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet, citing frustrations over the government’s handling of the ongoing war on Gaza.
Gantz, who led the centrist faction in the predominantly right-wing coalition, officially announced his departure on Sunday, stating that Netanyahu’s approach was hindering progress towards a decisive “victory.”
“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence,” he said during a televised press conference.
Gantz emphasized the need for early elections, arguing that a new government is necessary to gain the public’s trust and effectively address the country’s challenges.
He had previously warned Netanyahu that he would leave the government if a post-war strategy for Gaza was not presented.
In his resignation announcement, Gantz called for lawful and peaceful protests against the government.
The resignation has been met with criticism from right-wing figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who accused Gantz of weakening Israel’s position during a critical period.
Gantz’s exit opens the possibility for more far-right members to influence the war cabinet’s decisions.
The minister joined the emergency government to present a united front during the war on Gaza. However, growing disagreements led to his decision to step down.
Netanyahu took to X, formerly Twitter, following Gantz’s announcement, saying that this is the time to “join forces” rather than quit.
Gantz is not the first Israeli official to resign over the government’s handling of the war on Gaza. The head of Israel’s military intelligence, Aharon Haliva, announced his resignation in April, as he acknowledged the failure of the intelligence division under his command to prevent the Hamas October 7 attack.
“I carry that black day with me ever since. Day after day, night after night. I will forever carry with me the terrible pain of the war,” he said.
