Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz set to announce his resignation amid the Gaza conflict

Israel’s centrist war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, is poised to deliver a speech later today, widely anticipated to signify his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government. Last month, Gantz presented Netanyahu with a June 8 deadline to articulate a clear strategy for Gaza post-military offensive.

Political commentators in Israel’s leading newspapers predict that Gantz will announce his resignation during the scheduled speech. This departure would not immediately threaten Netanyahu’s governing coalition, which currently holds 64 out of 120 seats in parliament. However, its impact could be significant.

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Without Gantz’s centrist party, Netanyahu would lose support from a bloc that has helped broaden the government’s backing domestically and internationally. This comes at a crucial juncture, with increasing diplomatic and domestic pressure amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu may find himself relying more heavily on ultra-nationalist parties for political support. These parties have already strained relations with Washington and called for a complete Israeli occupation of Gaza, potentially exacerbating tensions further.

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Gantz’s resignation could signal dim prospects for achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. Analysts suggest that Gantz would have been more inclined to stay if a deal seemed imminent.

Polls have consistently shown Gantz as a formidable political rival to Netanyahu, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Gantz initially joined the unity government, citing national interest over political considerations.

Meanwhile, humanitarian aid to Gaza via a US-built pier is set to resume after repairs were completed. The Israeli military has begun securing the coastal area of the dock, known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) capability.

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The US Central Command confirmed the re-establishment of the temporary pier off Gaza’s coast, which had been removed temporarily due to structural issues. This development will deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming days.

In a separate development, the Israeli army reported that 17 militants were killed in an airstrike on a UN school in central Gaza. The strike targeted a school operated by the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, where displaced people sought shelter.

UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned the attack, emphasizing that UN facilities are shared with the Israeli army to prevent such incidents. He underscored that targeting UN buildings for military purposes violates International Humanitarian law.

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Hamas media accused the Israeli army of spreading false information regarding the strike, claiming that the casualties included 14 children. The Israeli military maintains that the strike targeted militants from Islamic Jihad and Hamas hiding in the school.

The Gaza conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7th attack, has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides. According to AFP tallies based on official figures, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 1,194 Palestinians and at least 36,731 Gazans, mostly civilians.

The situation remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the conflict.