Gantz: ‘Israel has nothing to lose’ from Trump’s Gaza plan
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

National Unity chief Benny Gantz appears to endorse US President Donald Trump’s call to resettle residents of the Gaza Strip elsewhere, tweeting that Israel can only gain from relocating those who wish to leave the devastated coastal enclave.
Following a faction meeting, Gantz thanks Trump for “his deep commitment to Israel’s security and the future of the entire region” and says that the “most important principle” of the president’s plan “is to transfer responsibility for the residents of Gaza from Hamas to the world.”
“The idea of building safe and prosperous areas for the residents of Gaza outside the Strip and allowing those who wish to do so to move to them is admirable and will stand the test of reality. Whether it succeeds fully or partially, Israel has nothing to lose from it — only something to gain,” he continues.
“We need to ensure that reconstruction funds do not once again become funds for recruiting [terror] operatives, manufacturing weapons, and building tunnels, but are intended for the residents of Gaza, for the civilian reconstruction of a Gaza Strip demilitarized from military threats,” Gantz says.
Calling for the full return of the hostages and Lebanon’s full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the north, Gantz welcomes “the steps President Trump has taken regarding Iran and his statement that he will not allow it to obtain nuclear weapons.”
“We have a window of opportunity to remove the Iranian nuclear threat. We must not miss it. We must work hand in hand with the American administration and together create a better and more stable reality for Israel, the countries of the region, and the entire world,” he says.
Responding to Gantz, Labor MK Gilad Kariv says in a post: “Really MK Gantz, Israel has nothing to lose? Is there no moral and ethical cost? Is this not giving a tailwind to Kahanist ideas? Is there no risk of destabilization in Jordan and Egypt? Is there no danger of a severe escalation in Judea and Samaria?
“The role of the opposition is to present an alternative, not to serve as a cheerleading squad or an escort,” he says.