Gantz urges Netanyahu to stop dragging feet on planning for war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and Minister Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv on November 11, 2023. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and Minister Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv on November 11, 2023. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

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.

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