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Benny Gantz, the minister of war cabinet, resigned from the emergency government on Sunday, citing concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-conflict plans for Gaza, a hint of growing strain among Israel's leadership.
At a press conference in Tel Aviv, Gantz announced his resignation, saying he had made the decision with a "heavy heart."
Gantz remarked, "Unfortunately, Mr. Netanyahu is keeping us from coming closer to true victory, which is the justification for the agonizing ongoing crisis." Viewed as a possible leader, he pleaded with Netanyahu to call fresh elections.
"Netanyahu responded on social media, stating, “Benny, this is not the time to quit the campaign, this is the time to join forces.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid supported Gantz’s move as “important and right.”
Following the resignation, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded a position in the war cabinet. Ben-Gvir’s right-wing coalition has threatened to withdraw support and collapse the government if Israel accepts a ceasefire proposed by US President Joe Biden.
Last month, Gantz gave Netanyahu until June 8 to clarify how Israel would achieve its six strategic goals, including ending Hamas rule in Gaza and establishing a multinational civilian administration for the territory.
Netanyahu dismissed these demands as “washed-up words” that would mean “defeat for Israel.”
A retired army general and frequent Netanyahu critic, Gantz was a key member of the war cabinet alongside the prime minister and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
He announced that his National Unity party, which holds five posts in the emergency government, would also withdraw.
Although this move will not topple the government—Netanyahu retains a majority in the Knesset—it underscores deep political divisions over the handling of the Gaza conflict.
Gantz’s resignation comes just before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the region to advocate for a ceasefire.
