Netanyahu urges Gantz not to bolt coalition; Gantz: We must consider how to continue from here

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweets a plea to war cabinet minister Benny Gantz not to leave the emergency government, as he was widely expected to do tonight until the successful rescue of four live hostages from Gaza.

“This is the time for unity and not for division,” the premier posts. “We must stay unified among ourselves in the face of the big tasks ahead of us. I call on Benny Gantz — don’t leave the emergency government. Don’t give up on unity.”

In a statement issued minutes later, Gantz responds that “alongside the justified joy in the achievement, we must remember that all the challenges Israel faces have remained as they were. Therefore, I tell the prime minister and the entire leadership — today, too, we must consider responsibly how it is best and possible to continue from here.”