Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved his war cabinet, a decision that is expected to impact ongoing efforts to resolve the Gaza war and achieve a ceasefire. This action follows the recent resignation of political rival and former General Benny Gantz from the war cabinet.
Gantz, a retired military general and current member of the Israeli parliament, is known as a moderate figure in Israeli politics. He joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet in October last year after a Hamas attack on Israel, showing solidarity with the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. At that time, Gantz advocated for a restricted decision-making body to manage war-related decisions, intending to sideline the far-right elements within Netanyahu’s government.
Earlier this month, Gantz resigned from the war cabinet due to disagreements over Israel’s strategy in Gaza. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress in rescuing Israelis held hostage by Hamas and accused Netanyahu of using the war to delay new elections and corruption proceedings against him. Gantz demanded a comprehensive strategy for the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas’s government from Gaza, which Netanyahu did not endorse, leading to his departure.
In the aftermath of Gantz’s exit, Netanyahu’s national security cabinet, now dominated by hardline right-wing members, will assume full decision-making authority. These members are known for opposing the U.S.-proposed ceasefire and advocating for further escalation in Gaza. According to an anonymous Israeli official, Netanyahu will consult with his close allies on an ad-hoc basis for specific decisions.
The dissolution of the war cabinet highlights the growing rift between Netanyahu and Israel’s moderate leaders who are willing to consider a ceasefire with Hamas. Both Israel and Hamas have been reluctant to fully support the U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan, which includes the return of hostages, a clear pathway to ending the conflict, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s decision-making will now heavily rely on his security cabinet, which includes members who support reoccupying Gaza. Critics argue that Netanyahu is delaying the end of the war to avoid investigations into the October 7 attack and to postpone new elections amid declining popularity.
Gideon Rahat, Chairman of the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, remarked on the dissolution, stating, “This means that he (Netanyahu) will make all the decisions himself or with those he completely trusts and who do not challenge him.” Rahat suggested that Netanyahu has a vested interest in prolonging the conflict.
Benny Gantz’s resignation and the subsequent dissolution of the war cabinet signal a shift in Israel’s political landscape. The national security cabinet, now in charge, is expected to take a more aggressive stance on Gaza, potentially complicating international efforts to broker a ceasefire
