Benny Gantz, an Israeli politician and a key member of the country's war cabinet, resigned from the government on Sunday over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's mishandling of the Gaza war.
Netanyahu's resignation dealt a heavy blow to the unity Israel displayed at the start of the conflict and exposed divisions within the Israeli leadership over the future of the war and its aftermath.
Mr. Gantz, a centrist who threatened last month to resign if Mr. Netanyahu did not address his concerns about how the war ends and what happens after it ends, said his party would leave the emergency government “with a heavy but full heart.” He said Mr. Netanyahu’s leadership “has prevented us from moving toward true victory.”
The move is unlikely to force Netanyahu from office – the prime minister's government will still have a slim majority in the Knesset. Mr Gantz's resignation comes amid frustration among Israelis over the failure to decisively overthrow Hamas or bring home all hostages held in Gaza following the October 7 terrorist attack in southern Israel. Mr Netanyahu has also faced international criticism as destruction and civilian casualties in Gaza have mounted.
Last month, Gantz set a deadline for Netanyahu to answer a series of questions, including plans to return hostages held in Gaza. He was scheduled to hold a news conference on Saturday, but was postponed after Israeli authorities announced Rescue four hostages.
