Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, cautioned that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu could collapse if the a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas is not signed.
Responding to statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Gantz said, „If the government abandons the occupation plan, it will no longer have a reason to exist.“
In his statement on the matter.
Gantz explained that if an agreement to strengthen the Israeli police is reached, which does not require an end to the war, but the ministers in the government prevent it, then the government has no right to continue its existence.
In his statement today, Israel’s far-right Minister Smotrich stated that he rejects the prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas and refers to it as a „humiliating surrender to the Nazis.“
Smotrich declared that as long as Rafah is not occupied, the government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no justification for its existence.
The war cabinet consists of five individuals (three members and two observers), including Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.
The cabinet was formed following an agreement between Netanyahu and National Unity Party opposition leader Benny Gantz to form an „emergency government“ on October 11.
Rafah, where displaced Palestinians sought refuge
The city of Rafah, located on the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip, was home to approximately 280,000 Palestinians before the Israeli attacks. Following the Israeli attacks on October 7, 1.9 million people were displaced in the 2.3 million population Gaza Strip.
Most displaced Palestinians sought refuge in Rafah, previously deemed „safe“ by Israel. Due to arrivals from northern regions, Rafah’s population has more than quadrupled, reaching 1.5 million.
Most Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah due to lack of adequate housing are struggling to survive in makeshift tent camps.
Israeli forces frequently target the city of Rafah with airstrikes. There are concerns that if Israel launches a ground attack on the city of Rafah, civilians in the Gaza Strip will be left unprotected.
On February 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israeli army and security services to „prepare an attack plan for Rafah.“
T24