Gantz appears to defend Netanyahu from report he may attack Lebanon for political gain

Despite mounting tensions between them, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz appears to defend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the Washington Post reports that the United States believes the premier may launch a war against the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon to improve his political standing.

In a statement released on X in Hebrew and English, Gantz says, “The only consideration here is Israel’s security, and nothing else. That is our duty to our country and our citizens.”

He says that “the reality where the citizens of Northern Israel cannot return to their homes – requires an urgent solution. The world must remember that it was the terrorist organisation Hezbollah that initiated the escalation. Israel is interested in a diplomatic solution, but if one cannot be found – Israel and the IDF will remove the threat. All of the War Cabinet’s members share this view.”