Israeli war cabinet 'dissolved', Netanyahu tells ministers
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolves the six-member war cabinet, Israeli media reported on Monday.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, occupied Palestine on June 8, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the disbanding of the war cabinet on Sunday, according to reports released on Monday, in a move widely anticipated following the departure of Benny Gantz from the government.
"The cabinet was in the coalition agreement with [National Unity MK Benny] Gantz at his request. As soon as Gantz left - there is no need for a cabinet anymore," Netanyahu was reported to have said during the Sunday war cabinet meeting.
According to Netanyahu, there will not be a new cabinet formed consisting of the coalition party members, as previously suggested by far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that "to reach the goal of eliminating the capabilities of Hamas, [he] made decisions that were not always acceptable to the military echelon" during the weekly cabinet meeting. "We have a country with an army and not an army with a country."
Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz announced on June 9 in a televised address his resignation from the Israeli war cabinet, calling it a painful decision.
"Leaving the government is a complex and painful decision," he said. He underlined that the Israeli regime was dealing hesitantly with existential issues based on the political interests of a few.
Gantz also acknowledged the failure to secure the release of Israeli captives from Gaza, emphasizing that "true victory prioritizes the return of hostages over political considerations."
Highlighting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in obstructing a genuine victory, Gantz admitted that "there will be no quick and easy victory," and warned that "the war will continue for years."
