Israeli Cabinet rifts over Gaza break out into the open

Defence chief demands clear strategy from Netanyahu, opposes a military govt in enclave

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Israeli government splits over the war in Gaza broke open this week, after the defence minister publicly demanded a clear strategy from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as troops returned to battle Hamas fighters in areas thought to have been cleared months ago.

The comments from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who said he would not agree to setting up a military government in the enclave, reflect growing unease in the security establishment at the lack of direction from Mr Netanyahu over who will be left to run Gaza when the fighting stops.

They also brought out the sharp split between the two centrist former army generals in the Cabinet, Mr Benny Gantz and Mr Gadi Eisenkot, who both backed Mr Gallant's call, and the hard-right nationalist religious parties led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who condemned the comments.

"That's no way to run a war," the right-wing Israel Today tabloid headlined its May 16 edition over a photo of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant facing in different directions.

Apart from dismantling Hamas and returning some 130 hostages still held by the Islamist movement, Mr Netanyahu has not articulated any clear strategic goal for the end of the campaign, which has killed some 35,000 Palestinians and left Israel increasingly isolated internationally.