Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz quits Netanyahu government

Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist presence from the embattled leader's far-right coalition amid a protracted war in Gaza.

While the departure of Gantz's centrist party does not pose an immediate threat to the government, it could have significant repercussions. Without Gantz, Netanyahu is left relying on hardliners.

Last month, Gantz had given Netanyahu a June 8 deadline to develop a clear post-war strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a devastating military campaign against Hamas, the ruling Palestinian group. Netanyahu dismissed this ultimatum shortly after it was issued.

On Sunday, Gantz stated that political considerations were hindering crucial strategic decisions within Netanyahu's cabinet. He described his resignation, while hostages remained in Gaza and soldiers continued to fight, as an agonizing choice.

"Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory," Gantz said during a televised news conference. "That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence."

Netanyahu responded via social media, criticizing Gantz for abandoning the frontlines at a critical moment.

With Gantz's exit, Netanyahu loses the support of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden the government's base both domestically and internationally. This comes at a time when Netanyahu is under increasing diplomatic and domestic pressure, eight months into the Gaza conflict.

Despite maintaining control of 64 out of 120 parliamentary seats, Netanyahu will now have to depend more on ultra-nationalist parties. These parties, whose leaders had already strained relations with Washington before the war, have called for a complete Israeli occupation of Gaza.

This shift is likely to exacerbate tensions with the United States and increase public pressure at home. The ongoing military campaign has yet to meet its objectives: the destruction of Hamas and the release of over 100 hostages still held in Gaza.