Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz's centrist party yesterday proposed dissolving parliament, indicating growing tensions within Benjamin Netanyahu's government. although the prime minister has enough deputies to remain in his post, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The move follows an ultimatum Gantz issued in May, demanding that Netanyahu agree by June 8 to a plan after the Gaza war. He threatened to leave the coalition if there was no such agreement, although the prime minister's party "Likud" still has a majority without Gantz.
Netanyahu, who has long staked his reputation as a security hawk, has faced growing public discontent since the attack by "Hamas" of October 7, which happened in his time. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has since drawn international criticism, including from Israel's most important ally, the United States.
Gantz joined Netanyahu's government shortly after the October 7 attack. As a member of the military cabinet, he helped direct Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, but tensions rose as the war dragged on.
"October 7 was a catastrophe that requires us to go back and gain the confidence of the people, to establish a stable unity government with broad support that will lead us safely through the enormous challenges of security, economy and, most importantly, in Israeli society," reads a statement by Pnina Tameno, an MP from Gantz's "National Unity" party.
In response "Likud" of Netanyahu said dissolving the government would harm the war effort and deal a "fatal blow” of efforts to free over 120 hostages still being held in Gaza as of October 7.
Then "National Unity" issued a second statement.
"Netanyahu, it is not too late to come to your senses - either we will win together, or you will continue alone with the "divide and rule" method, it says.