Gantz slams decision to take over Gaza City, lays out vision for alternative plan

Blue and White-National Unity chairman Benny Gantz slams the cabinet’s newly approved plans to conquer Gaza City, calling it a “political failure that wastes the tremendous achievements of the IDF.”

In a post on X, Gantz suggests an alternative plan to achieve the war’s stated goals of destroying Hamas and returning the hostages.

“It can be done differently: first, announce — in exchange for the return of the hostages, we will be willing to agree to a permanent ceasefire,” he writes.

“As long as this is not accepted,” Gantz suggests that Israel should “eliminate Hamas leaders anywhere in the world; raid every Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip as long as there is no danger to the hostages; reach an agreement with the US and Arab countries on the establishment of a ‘Gaza Administration’ — and inform Hamas that this is the body that will manage Gaza civilian affairs while Israel maintains security.”

He says Israel should also “announce the opening of crossings for Gazans to leave to Ashdod port, Jordan, or Egypt — start implementing the Trump plan. Whoever wants to leave — let them go.”

“In any case, if all the hostages are not returned or if Hamas resumes arming itself — Israel will have the right to act,” he adds.

“The problem with this government is that it is slow, not determined, does not seize opportunities when they arise, and is not creative,” Gantz writes.

“We already entered Khan Younis and Rafah despite Netanyahu delaying it,” he says. “We will know how to do it in the future as well. But the question is, what have we done since then?

“We talked all the time about the day after — and Netanyahu did not act. Israel deserves leadership that seizes opportunities, not leadership that does not make every effort to return the hostages and defeat Hamas.”