By Said Amori
JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli War Cabinet Member Benny Gantz said Saturday that a comprehensive plan must be formulated by June 8 or he will leave Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
The plan must include “undermining Hamas's rule and securing the release of the captives held in the Gaza Strip,” he said at a news conference.
"A strategic shift is required, not a waste of time. We need to establish an alternative national strategy,” he added.
Gantz urged Israel “to create an international civilian governance mechanism for Gaza, including American, European, Arab and Palestinian elements -- which will also serve as a basis for a future alternative that is not Hamas and is not (Palestinian Authority President) Abbas.”
“The time has come for decisive decisions,” and addressed Netanyahu, saying, “If you are ready to do what is necessary by prioritizing the national path over the personal one, we will proceed together. If you prefer the personal path, we will leave the government."
“Personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate the Holy of Holies of Israel's national security," said Gantz. "A small minority has seized the bridge of the Israeli ship and is piloting it toward the rocky shoal.”
Netanyahu’s office said in response that 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.”
“Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions,” it said, “He opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state.”
Israel continued its brutal offensive on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Nearly 35,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and over 79,300 others injured since October following an attack by Hamas.
More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel is accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala