Key member of Israel's war cabinet threatens resignation over war strategy in Gaza

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's three-man war cabinet, has threatened to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan for the war — a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies.

His announcement escalates a divide within Israel's leadership more than seven months into a war that has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 attack.

Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamas's rule, demilitarizing the Gaza strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. It also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.

He said if it is not adopted by June 8, he will quit the government: "If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government," Gantz said.

Netanyahu in a statement reported by Israeli media, responded by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions "euphemisms" for Israel's defeat.

Gantz, a popular politician and longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the war cabinet in the early days of the war.

The departure of the former military chief of staff and defence minister would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies, who have taken a hard line on negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release, and who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and build Jewish settlements there.

Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the war cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel elected to reoccupy Gaza. Gallant also called on the government to make plans for Palestinian administration of the enclave.

In what will be seen by many as a swipe at Netanyahu, Gantz said that "personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israel's security." Netanyahu's critics accuse the prime minister of seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies.

Polls suggest Netanyahu would be replaced in elections, with Gantz the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on long-standing corruption charges.

"The people of Israel are watching you," Gantz said in his prime-time address to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hard-liners in his government want the military offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead with the goal of crushing Hamas.

Top ally the United States and others have warned against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million had sheltered — hundreds of thousands have now fled — and they have threatened to scale back support over Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled on Sunday to meet with Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would "stand alone" if needed.