Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has threatened to resign unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlines a post-war plan for Gaza.
Gantz set an 8 June deadline for a plan to achieve six “strategic goals,” including ending Hamas rule in Gaza and establishing a multinational civilian administration for the territory.
“If you prioritize the national over the personal, you will find partners in us,” he said. “But if you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government.”
Netanyahu dismissed the comments as “washed-up words” that would mean “defeat for Israel.”
The growing rift comes as fighting rages in Gaza, with Israeli forces operating in Rafah and Jabalia.
Gantz’s ultimatum followed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s call for Netanyahu to state publicly that Israel has no plans to take over civilian and military rule in Gaza.
Gallant and Gantz argue that maintaining military control in Gaza would increase Israel’s security risks, while others, including far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition, believe continued control is necessary to defeat Hamas.
In a televised address, Gantz told Netanyahu that the “people of Israel are watching you.”
“You must choose between Zionism and cynicism, between unity and factions, between responsibility and lawlessness, between victory and disaster,” he said.
Gantz’s six strategic goals include returning all hostages held by Hamas and the return of displaced Palestinian civilians to northern Gaza by 1 September.
He also urged continuing efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia as part of a broader alliance against Iran and its allies.
Netanyahu responded that meeting Gantz’s demands would lead to “the end of the war and a defeat for Israel, the abandoning of most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Israel’s war cabinet was formed after Hamas attacked Israeli communities near Gaza on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry reports that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 35,386 people.
Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has also pressed Netanyahu for a “day after” strategy, according to Israeli media.
The return of Israeli military to parts of northern Gaza previously declared clear of Hamas has raised doubts about the government’s strategy for eliminating the group.
Halevi is said to argue that without a diplomatic process to establish a new governing body in Gaza, the military will have to launch repeated campaigns to control Hamas.
Gantz proposed an American, European, Arab, and Palestinian administration to manage civilian affairs in Gaza while laying the foundation for a future government, with Israel maintaining some security control.
In Jabalia, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported battles with Palestinian armed groups. Palestinian medics said an Israeli strike killed 15 people.
Hamas reported that Israel’s “brutal raids” on Jabalia killed dozens of civilians and wounded hundreds more.
Israel issued new evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza following rocket attacks from armed groups.
Israel also launched air strikes and raids on Rafah, targeting Hamas’s strongholds.