Tel Aviv, Israel – As the war against Hamas in Gaza continues into its fifth month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rebuked one of his top Cabinet ministers for a trip to Washington to meet with U.S. officials.
The minister in question, Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival, joined Netanyahu’s wartime Cabinet in October following a deadly attack by Hamas. His trip comes at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Israel are on the rise as they grapple with how to address the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the postwar plan for the region.
According to an official from Netanyahu’s Likud party, Gantz’s visit was not authorized by the Prime Minister and he was given a stern talking-to upon his departure. Netanyahu made it clear that there is only one prime minister for the country.
Gantz’s scheduled meetings in Washington include discussions with Vice President Kamala Harris, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His National Unity Party has stated that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen ties with the U.S., garner support for Israel’s war efforts, and push for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, talks are underway in Egypt to broker a cease-fire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan next week. Israel did not send a delegation to these talks, citing the need for answers from Hamas on two key questions. According to another Israeli government official, they want to know which hostages are still alive and the number of Palestinian prisoners Hamas is seeking in exchange for each one.
All three Israeli officials spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to discuss the matters with the media.
In the meantime, the U.S. has begun airdrops of aid into Gaza after a deadly incident last week when dozens of Palestinians were killed while trying to obtain food from an aid convoy organized by Israel. These airdrops are meant to bypass the logistical challenges and restrictions imposed by Israel and provide much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. However, aid officials state that airdrops are not as effective as deliveries by truck.
As the U.S. continues to navigate the delicate situation in the region, they face challenges from Netanyahu and his Cabinet, which is largely composed of far-right ultranationalists. Gantz’s more moderate party acts as a counterbalance to this ideology.
Netanyahu’s popularity has taken a hit since the outbreak of the war, according to recent opinion polls. Many Israelis hold him responsible for failing to prevent the deadly Hamas attack in October, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took hundreds of hostages into Gaza, including women, children, and older adults.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with approximately two-thirds of them being women and children. The relentless fighting has also forced 80% of the population, which amounts to 2.3 million people, to flee their homes. U.N. agencies warn that hundreds of thousands are on the brink of famine.
Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of making decisions based on political considerations, a claim he denies. Much of the criticism is focused on the postwar plans for Gaza. Netanyahu wants to maintain ongoing security control over Gaza, while allowing Palestinians to manage civilian affairs. However, the U.S. has a different vision for the region, advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state and envisioning a new Palestinian leadership in Gaza that works towards this goal.
This vision is met with resistance from Netanyahu and the hard-liners in his government. Another top Cabinet official from Gantz’s party has also expressed concerns about the handling of the war and the strategy for freeing the hostages.
Netanyahu’s government, which is the most conservative and religious in Israel’s history, is also facing internal challenges. A court-ordered deadline for a new bill to expand the military enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are currently exempt from service so they can pursue religious studies, has caused tension within the government. With hundreds of soldiers killed since October, the military is in need of more recruits.
Gantz has been vague about his stance on Palestinian statehood, and recent polls suggest that he stands a chance of becoming the next prime minister if elections were held today.
His visit to the U.S., if successful in securing the release of hostages, could further boost his support among the Israeli public.
Currently, negotiations are ongoing
