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Casablanca – Benny Gantz offered Netanyahu to forge a unity government along with members of the opposition in a bid to strike a hostage release deal.
“I am here on behalf of the hostages who have no voice. I am here for the soldiers who are crying out, and whom no one in this government is listening to,” Gantz told a televised press conference.
“The duty of our state is first and foremost to save the lives of Jews and all citizens,” Gantz added, urging fellow opposition party leaders Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to also consider the proposal as well.
Yet both opposition leader Lapid and Lieberman have previously ruled out taking part in any government led by Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s coalition risks collapsing once parliament’s summer recess ends, after losing the backing of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure in Netanyahu’s coalition who could be marginalized if Gantz’s plan moves forward, swiftly rejected it
“Right-wing voters chose a right-wing policy – not Gantz’s policy, not a centrist government, not surrender deals with Hamas, but yes to absolute victory,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement.
The government faces mounting domestic pressure to end the genocide in Gaza amid protests demanding a hostage deal.
Netanyahu has ordered new negotiations alongside an expanded offensive on Gaza City, a move opposed by many internally over hostage safety. The plan has also raised fears of worsening humanitarian conditions after nearly two years of Israel’s genocidal campaign.
Defense Minister Katz threatened to destroy Gaza City unless Hamas disarms and frees all captives, while Hamas insists hostages will only be released in exchange for ending the war and establishing a Palestinian state.
Read also: Israel’s Defense Minister Threatens to Open ‘Gates of Hell’ in Gaza City
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