Israeli opposition leader Gantz threatens to quit war Cabinet

He wants Netanyahu to offer plan to bring back hostages, end Hamas’ rule in Gaza

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Mr Benny Gantz, an Israeli opposition leader in the country's three-man war Cabinet, said on May 18 that if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not offer a new plan to bring back hostages and end Hamas' rule in Gaza by June 8, he will leave the government.

Mr Gantz's departure would greatly increase already mounting pressure on Mr Netanyahu seven months after the Hamas attack shocked Israel and led it to wage an unforgiving war in Gaza. It would not on its own collapse the ruling coalition, which has 64 seats out of a 120-seat Parliament.

Mr Netanyahu instantly rejected the demand.

"The conditions set by Benny Gantz are washed-up words whose meaning is clear: The end of war and defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

Israel's military is trying to destroy Hamas fighting units in Gaza's southern city of Rafah - an operation that has already forced half a million Palestinians to flee - and Mr Netanyahu was indignant that in the midst of the fighting Mr Gantz is threatening to break up the Cabinet.

It is no secret that Mr Gantz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have been barely on speaking terms with Mr Netanyahu in recent weeks over his management of the war and the way he has alienated US President Joe Biden and his administration, which oppose the Rafah operation.