Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the war cabinet overseeing the Gaza conflict following the resignation of key member Benny Gantz, a former military chief, according to a government spokesperson on Monday.
Gantz’s departure heightens Netanyahu’s reliance on ultra-nationalist allies who oppose a cease-fire, complicating efforts to end the eight-month war in Gaza.
Frustrated with Netanyahu’s handling of the war, Gantz left the government, leading to the dissolution of the three-member war cabinet formed after the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
This cabinet included Gantz, Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu will now hold smaller forums for sensitive war issues with his security cabinet, which includes far-right partners advocating for reoccupying Gaza.
Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire proposal in exchange for the release of hostages taken during the Hamas attack.
Israeli troops continue their operations in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, amidst rising tensions on the Lebanon border.
Hezbollah, which had launched intense barrages of rockets and drones toward Israel, significantly reduced its attacks on Sunday and Monday.
This lull follows the killing of key Hezbollah operative Mohammed Ayoub. It may be influenced by the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha and the visit of US senior adviser Amos Hochstein, who is addressing the Lebanon-Israel border situation.
Throughout the war, Netanyahu has balanced pressures from the US and global opposition with demands from his ultra-nationalist government partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have threatened to topple the government over a cease-fire deal.
Critics claim Netanyahu’s decisions are swayed by these allies and his desire to remain in power, a claim he denies, insisting his actions are in Israel’s best interests.
Gantz’s departure, along with the resignation of former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, who had observer status in the war cabinet, comes at a sensitive time, potentially increasing Netanyahu’s dependence on far-right allies in Israel's most religious and nationalist government ever.
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