From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Gantz urges Netanyahu to stop dragging feet on planning for war
War cabinet minister Benny Gantz has submitted an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding that he stop dragging his feet on a series of decisions relating to planning for the ongoing war as well as for the “day after.”
Gantz wants Netanyahu to allow the government to move forward with decisions regarding:
1. Who will control the Philadelphi Route along the Egypt-Gaza border as well as the Rafah Crossing;
2. When will residents of the north be allowed to return to their homes (Netanyahu has twice delayed meetings with local mayors on this issue);
3. A deadline setting how long Israel is willing to give diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions with Hezbollah before it turns to more significant military action;
4. The formation of a mechanism for providing humanitarian aid to Gazans in areas from which the IDF has evacuated;
5. A plan for who will rule Gaza if and when Hamas is removed from power;
6. Gantz also is urging Netanyahu to re-assess the war aims and present an updated version that takes into account the developments of the last three months.
The Times of Israel Community.