Israel between the far-right coalition and a ceasefire in Gaza

Netanyahu had previously put forward “day after” provisions for the Gaza Strip, including “Israel’s responsibility for the comprehensive security” of the Strip and a firm rejection of its division into a separate Palestinian state.

Gantz announced his resignation on Sunday, as Netanyahu celebrated the rare rescue of four hostages captured during the October 7 terrorist attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which led to an Israeli retaliation campaign in Gaza.

Gantz added: “Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from moving towards true victory, which is the justification for the ongoing and painful cost (of the war). That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.” As stated in a translated video clip from Reuters.

“It’s been a great honor, along with my friends, to bring to the Cabinet Room all the experiences we’ve had. I know other people are staying there. Basically, you have [Defense Minister Yoav] brave. And the Prime Minister himself. They know what to do. Gantz added: “We hope that they will stick to what needs to be done, and then it will be fine.”

On Saturday, it was Netanyahu It was taken to social media To appeal to Gantz to remain in the emergency government, stressing that “this is a time for unity, not division,” according to Google Translate.

Current opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed the decision of Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot to withdraw from the emergency government, describing it as “important and correct.”

Lapid said: “It is time to replace this extremist and mixed government with a sensible government that will lead to the return of security for the citizens of Israel, the return of the kidnapped, and the restoration of Israel’s economy and international standing.” In Google Translate Social media sharing.

Gantz’s withdrawal comes at a fragile time for Netanyahu’s government, which faces growing internal discontent over the management of the war and efforts to recover dozens of hostages believed to still be held in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also drawn international criticism over the proportionality of its military response and the risks to Palestinian civilians – including an order from the highest UN court to halt the war campaign in Rafah and a request from the ICC prosecutor to obtain arrest warrants against Netanyahu. Gallant and three Hamas leaders due to charges related to the conflict in Gaza.

Official Israeli figures say that about 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza. The death toll in the Strip exceeded 37,000 people during that period, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Gantz’s seismic departure will shake up, but will not uproot the Netanyahu administration. Eran Etzion, former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, told CNBC on Monday that the Israeli prime minister could reposition him in his coalition, which includes support for the far right and ultra-Orthodox parties.

“To cling to power, Netanyahu will continue to maneuver between his electoral base and American demands. The pro-democracy movement will also increase its pressure in the streets. The highly unpopular “bill,” which effectively grants all ultra-Orthodox men complete exemption from the law, is expected, Etzion said. “Also, military service leads to further delegitimization of the government.”

Meanwhile, Nimrod Goren, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, confirmed to CNBC that Netanyahu is unlikely to stand against his far-right coalition partners at this point, weakening the prospects of Israel eventually agreeing to the ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip. . Like the three-phase plan announced by the United States last month.

Goren said, “Gantz’s resignation reduces the chances of Netanyahu agreeing to an agreement that requires a major cessation of Israeli army operations in Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.”

Far-right politicians have already criticized this framework, with Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, calling it “an illegitimate deal, a victory for terrorism and a security risk.” To the State of Israel” in Google Translate Social media sharing. He also threatened to dissolve the government if the proposal was implemented.

Bezalel Smotrich, finance minister and head of the Religious Zionist Party, said he “will not be part of a government that agrees to the proposed broad outlines and ends the war without destroying Hamas and returning all the kidnapped,” according to Google. -translator Social media update.

But Etzion said that Gantz’s departure would not change the balance on the ceasefire proposal.

He said, “Gantz’s position on the deal is virtually identical to Netanyahu’s position,” noting that Gantz and Lapid confirmed that they would support the proposal from their ranks. “The agreement was and remains up to Netanyahu to decide. He can have the majority for any decision he wants to make. This was true when Gantz was in office, and this is true when he is out.”

CNBC has reached out to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office for comment.

— CNBC’s Dalia Al-Masry contributed to this report.