Netanyahu: Gantz’s ultimatum abandons hostages, leaves Hamas in power, leads to Palestinian state

After war cabinet minister Benny Gantz issues a blistering criticism of his war leadership, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounces his coalition partner and political rival for “issuing an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of issuing an ultimatum to Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s office says in a statement that Gantz’s demands would mean “an end to the war and defeat for Israel, abandoning the majority of the hostages, leaving Hamas in power, and creating a Palestinian state.”

If Gantz truly prioritizes the national interest and not the toppling of the government, continues the Prime Minister’s Office, he must answer three questions:

• Does Gantz want to see the operation in Rafah through to its end, and if so, why is he threatening to topple the unity government during the IDF operation?
• Does he oppose Palestinian Authority rule in Gaza, even if Mahmoud Abbas is not involved?
• Would he support a Palestinian state as part of a normalization process with Saudi Arabia?

“Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions,” says the PMO, “he opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state.”

Netanyahu, continues the statement, believes that the unity government is key to achieving the war aims, “and expects Gantz to make clear to the public his positions on these issues.”