Israeli Minister Benny Gantz is expected to make a statement on Saturday evening, in which he is likely to announce his withdrawal from the war government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Hebrew media. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Friday, citing Gantz's office, that he would make the announcement on Saturday evening. The deadline Gantz set for Netanyahu to define a clear war strategy regarding Gaza ends on Saturday evening.
On May 19, Gantz gave Netanyahu until June 8 to establish a clear strategy for the war on Gaza and beyond, or else he would resign from the government. Gantz's "National Unity" party joined Netanyahu's government on October 11 and it was thereafter referred to as the emergency government, which led to the creation of a smaller war government.
However, Gantz's withdrawal from Netanyahu's government does not signify its collapse, as he joined when Netanyahu had 64 votes from the 120 Knesset members. To form the Israeli government, a confidence vote from at least 61 members is required.
Gantz had previously demanded from Netanyahu a strategy comprising six objectives including: the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza, defeating Hamas, disarming Gaza, identifying an alternative to Hamas in Gaza, the return of residents from northern Israel to their settlements by September 1, and advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia along with the adoption of a military service plan in Israel.
