Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the three-member wartime cabinet after the departure of centrist Benny Gantz, according to an Israeli official on Monday. This decision marks the latest move by Netanyahu following Gantz’s exit from the wartime cabinet.
Netanyahu is now expected to consult with a small group of ministers on issues related to the Gaza conflict, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who previously served as an observer in the wartime cabinet.
Netanyahu’s nationalist religious partners in the coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been pushing for inclusion in the wartime cabinet, a move that could escalate tensions with Israel’s international partners, including the United Nations.
In response to Hamas attacks on Israel last October, Netanyahu reached an agreement with opposition leader Gantz to form a rare wartime cabinet government to assist the country in its conflict with Hamas.
The wartime cabinet members consisted of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and former Defense Minister, now opposition leader Gantz.
Additionally, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer and former Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces Gadi Eizenkot served as observers.
The members of the wartime cabinet collectively made important decisions throughout the conflict with Hamas. A few days ago, both Gantz and Eizenkot left the wartime cabinet, criticizing Netanyahu’s failure to formulate a strategy for the Gaza conflict.
Throughout the conflict, Netanyahu has balanced pressures from Israel’s key ally, the United States, growing anti-war sentiments globally, and his government partners, primarily Finance Minister Smotrich and Public Security Minister Ben-Gvir.