Netanyahu's Negative Response to Gantz's Deadline for New Strategy in Gaza War

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a deadline until June 10 (21 Khordad) to present a new strategic approach in the Gaza war, or he would resign from the cabinet. Gantz emphasized that this strategy includes achieving six objectives, including the return of hostages, ending Hamas's rule in Gaza, establishing a multinational civilian government for Gaza, normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, and mandating military service for all Israelis. Gantz stated regarding normalization with Riyadh: "Advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia is part of a comprehensive process to create an alliance with the free world and the West against Iran and its allies." While there is still no prospect for an end to the war in Gaza, the Israeli war cabinet has experienced divisions and disagreements among several members regarding plans for governing the Gaza Strip after the war with the extremist group Hamas. Yoav Galant, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, also urged the Prime Minister on Wednesday night to present his plan for governing Gaza after the war. He stated that he opposes political governance and the establishment of a military government by Israel in the Gaza Strip and called for handing over governance of the area to the Palestinians. In response to Gantz's deadline, Netanyahu stated that the conditions set by Gantz would amount to "Israel's defeat, abandoning hostages, the continuation of Hamas's existence, and the establishment of a Palestinian state." The Israeli Prime Minister added that he still believes that maintaining an emergency government for legal accountability in the war is important and "expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public." Gantz's exit from the emergency war cabinet would 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 he does not meet their demands. The right-wing ministers are calling for the reoccupation of Gaza, "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians, and the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in the area. Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands who have protested weekly in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his political survival. Benny Gantz entered the emergency war cabinet shortly after the extremist Hamas group's attack on Israel on October 6 of last year. Gantz warned Netanyahu on Saturday not to choose the path of extremists and lead the entire nation into disaster. In response to Galant's statements on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: "I am not willing to exchange your Fatah for Hamas's state," and the primary condition for plans related to Gaza after the war is the destruction of Hamas, which must be done unconditionally. Netanyahu added that Fatah and the Palestinian Authority have not yet condemned Hamas's attack on Israeli territory, and 80% of Palestinian residents in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority support Hamas's crimes against the people of Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday night that Washington does not support the reoccupation of Gaza by Israel and "certainly does not support a Hamas government in Gaza, as we have seen what such a government has meant for the people of Gaza and Israel." However, some observers in Israel have noted that Galant, by adopting positions that are also supported by the U.S., is already solidifying his position in any future political coalition in Israel, should elections be held and the current government be dissolved.