Benny Gantz to Withdraw from Israel's War Cabinet

Axios reported, citing informed sources, that Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, will announce his party's exit from this cabinet in a speech on Saturday, June 9. Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity Party, entered the emergency war cabinet shortly after the extremist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 of last year. Gantz's departure from the war cabinet will not lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, as this coalition still holds 64 seats in the Israeli parliament. The Biden administration, Western countries, and Arab nations in the region consider Gantz a moderate politician in the Israeli government. His exit will likely increase pressure from the United States and the international community on Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz had previously given Netanyahu's government a week to present a new strategic approach in the Gaza war, or he would resign from the cabinet. The resignation of the head of the National Unity Party will force Netanyahu to rely more on his far-right coalition allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leaders of two right-wing parties who could more easily topple Netanyahu's government if their demands are not met. Right-wing ministers are calling for the reoccupation of Gaza, 'voluntary relocation' of Palestinians, and the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in the area.