Israeli PM Netanyahu and his Cabinet unfit to perform duties: Gantz
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Netanyahu and Gallant are disputing over the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, with the security minister accusing the prime minister of obstructing a prisoner swap deal
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Former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz announces his resignation during a televised address, on June 9, 2024. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are unfit to carry out their duties amid their ongoing genocide in Gaza, former War Cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Tuesday.
The head of the National Unity party was commenting on the recent personal and political dispute between Netanyahu and his Security Minister Yoav Gallant, asserting that their differences do not serve either of them, local radio FM103 reported.
Gantz expressed his belief that Netanyahu's cabinet is unqualified to declare "absolute victory" against Palestinian Resistance group Hamas and ensure the return of Israeli captives while reiterating his support of negotiating a deal for their release.
The two politicians disputed over the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, with the former security minister accusing Netanyahu of obstructing a prisoner swap deal while the prime minister combated his cabinet member by describing him as following an anti-"Israel" narrative.
Disputes between Gallant, Netanyahu damaging war effort, officials say
Israeli media highlighted on July 15 the public rift between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant, which has caused significant concern among senior officials within the Israeli security apparatus, including the Israeli occupation forces, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad.
According to Israeli Channel 12, high-ranking security officials have warned that the personal and political conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant is "damaging" the management of ongoing military operations. It was noted that the two do not communicate outside of official discussions.
The channel quoted one source saying that the discord between Netanyahu and Gallant is turning the IOF, Shin Bet, and Mossad into "mediators" during wartime, hindering the achievement of any strategic objectives.
Another source told Channel 13 that one reason the Israeli regime has not reached a decision on the "day after" issue is that Netanyahu "will not agree" to accept Gallant's plan despite the fact that the security minister's proposals were not significantly different from Netanyahu's.
An additional security source confirmed that there has not been a three-way meeting between the prime minister, the security minister, and the chief of staff for a long time, highlighting how terrible the ties are within the war cabinet.
Israeli media previously cited a source close to Netanyahu as saying that Security Minister Yoav Gallant is a pawn in the hands of the Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
The source indicated that Gallant cannot be trusted and that his behavior regarding judicial reforms, the draft law, and the prisoner exchange deal suggests he wants to topple the current Israeli government.
Israeli Channel 12 also attributed the simmering conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant to the latter being barred by the former from holding a meeting regarding the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet, insisting these meetings be held with him instead.
