Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded his war cabinet, which was responsible for key decisions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to officials who spoke to the Associated Press.
This decision follows the resignation of war cabinet minister Benny Gantz last week. Gantz cited Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions as hindering a “total victory” in the conflict. Gantz also stressed the importance of prioritizing the return of hostages seized by Hamas on October 7, stating that this should be above “political survival.”
Officials, who requested anonymity due to their lack of authorization to discuss the change publicly, reported that going forward, Netanyahu will convene smaller forums with select government members for sensitive issues.
Critics have alleged that Netanyahu’s wartime decision-making has been influenced by ultranationalists within his government who oppose a ceasefire agreement that would involve the release of hostages, according to the AP. Netanyahu refutes these accusations, asserting that he acts solely in the best interests of the country.
The War Cabinet was established in the early stages of the conflict when Gantz, a centrist opposition party leader, joined the coalition in a display of unity following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
This cabinet included Gantz, Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and together they made significant decisions throughout the war.
“Months after the October disaster, the situation in the country and in the decision-making cabinet has changed. Netanyahu and his partners have turned unity into a void call who has no cover. Fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations,” Gantz stated in his resignation announcement. “Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing to a real victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart, but with a whole heart.”
“This is the time for unity and not for division,” Netanyahu later wrote on X. “We must remain united within ourselves in the face of the great tasks before us. I call on Benny Gantz – do not leave the emergency government. Don’t give up on unity.”
‘ Bradford Betz and