JERUSALEM: Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Sunday announced his party was quitting Benjamin Netanyahu’s government after threatening last month to leave over the differences in post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip.
“(Benjamin) Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing to a real victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart,” Gantz states in a televised address.
He added Netanyahu was failing in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Israeli war cabinet member called for early elections, saying there must be elections in Israel that will eventually establish a government that will win the trust of the people and face the challenges.
“I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date.”
Gantz last month said he would resign from the war cabinet if Netanyahu fails to approve a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.
However, Gantz’s departure is not expected to bring down the coalition government. National Union Party last week submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and call an early election.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in Gaza on Sunday said that at least 37,084 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s relentless bombardment on the Gaza Strip since last October.
It said the Israeli occupation forces killed 283 while injured 814 in the last 24 hours in Gaza.
Israel is carrying out its brutal actions in Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution seeking an immediate cease-fire.
