GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 225

Political Power Plays

A New Deadline

Quite a few deadlines are being thrown around, but most are in the context of getting hostages back that is until now as we see in an article from The Jerusalem Post:

In a move likely to increase the already high political tension at the highest levels of Israel's government, Minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a deadline until June 8 to agree to a comprehensive strategic plan for the 'day after' Hamas in Gaza, and threatened to leave the government if this did not happen.

Gantz explained why he is giving Netanyahu the deadline:

"Lately, something has gone wrong," Gantz said. "Essential decisions were not made. Essential leadership decisions to ensure victory were not done. A small minority has taken over the command bridge of the Israeli ship of state and is steering her toward the rocks," Gantz said, referring to Netanyahu's far-right political partners, who repeatedly threatened in recent weeks that they would bring down the government if he made concessions that Gantz supported.

He then made very Jewish parallel:

"Personal and political considerations have infiltrated the holy of holies of Israeli security," Gantz said.

Gantz then listed the things needed or seeing him leave leadership:

  • The return of the hostages
  • The demobilization of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip
  • Determining an "American-European-Arab-Palestinian" governing alternative in the Strip that "is not Hamas and not [Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud] Abbas"
  • The return of the residents of the north by September 1, and rehabilitation of the western Negev
  • Promoting normalization with Saudi Arabia, as part of a general move that includes "a treaty with the free world and the Arab world against Iran"
  • Adopting an outline for creating a standardized Israeli national service, in which all Israelis will "serve the country and contribute to the highest national effort"

While some outside Israel won’t understand some of the six things Gantz wants, he is likely to run for PM himself as he hints at in this statement:

"If you choose to lead the nation to the abyss, we will withdraw from the government, turn to the people, and form a government that can bring about a real victory," Gantz said.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu, I look you in the eye this evening and say – the choice is in your hands. After speaking to you over and over again, the moment of truth has arrived … I have known you for many years as a leader and Israeli patriot – you know very well what needs to be done."

Netanyahu Responds

It no surprise that such a bold move by someone many suspect is being groomed by the United States to replace Netanyahu would receive a response and we see in an article from The Times Of Israel that one was given:

After war cabinet minister Benny Gantz issues a blistering criticism of his war leadership, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses his coalition partner and erstwhile political rival of “issuing an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of issuing an ultimatum to Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s office says in a statement Gantz’s demands would mean “an end to the war and defeat for Israel, abandoning the majority of the hostages, leaving Hamas in power, and creating a Palestinian state.”

The PM gave Gantz three things to address of his own:

If Gantz truly prioritizes the national interest and not the toppling of the government, continues the Prime Minister’s Office, he must answer three questions:

  • Does Gantz want to see the operation in Rafah through to its end, and if so, why is he threatening to topple the unity government during the IDF operation?
  • Does he oppose Palestinian Authority rule in Gaza, even if Mahmoud Abbas is not involved?
  • Would he support a Palestinian state as part of a normalization process with Saudi Arabia?

The Prime Minister’s Office added this:

“Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions,” says the PMO, “he opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state.”

The PM now wants a response as well:

Netanyahu, continues the statement, believes that the unity government is key to achieving the war aims, “and expects Gantz to make clear to the public his positions on these issues.”

As I reported earlier there are signs that Gantz is taking advantage of things and clear indications that the current government in America wants to replace Netanyahu who often butts heads with them. And with the Defense Minister trying to dictate what Netanyahu does after the war ends it is clear that there is a battle brewing internally that probably isn’t just a coincidence.

War In Hezbollah Is Coming

In a speech to Israeli troops stationed in the north, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assured them Hezbollah will be dealt with eventually as we learn from a report from The Jerusalem Post:

Following several days of heavy bombardment in the North, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited IDF troops stationed in the North and along the Lebanon border, according to a statement on Friday.

Gallant held a situation assessment with the Northern Command Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin as well as the general staff.

The DM told the soldiers to be ready:

Gallant called for increased vigilance in the face of the threat from Hezbollah and for increased intelligence operations in southern Lebanon.

He also toured the town of Kiryat Shmona, which has suffered persistent attacks from Lebanon since the start of the war.

He thanked the troops and told them to be watchful:

Gallant also expressed his appreciation for the artillery brigades stationed in the North.

He told the troops to be patient and vigilant that operations against Hezbollah would begin, "People explained to me with maps and examples, some of them very old and experienced people, who said we wouldn't do anything. I told them: wait, we will."

Gallant mentioned his visit wasn’t just a ceremonial one:

"This morning, we were hit by terrorists; at the beginning of the week, we eliminated one of the senior commanders of Hezbollah in the Western sector, and I tell you: I am not coming here for nothing. We must prepare and consider that anything can happen," Gallant told the soldiers, highlighting the recent successes of IDF operations.

He added that the war against Hezbollah will end with Israeli citizens being coming safely back:

"We will return the residents of the North to their homes," he told them, "We want to exhaust every chance to do it by agreement because we know that war has costs, and we prefer to avoid it."

"If we come to this conclusion - we will act simply because we have to take care of our citizens."