‘Netanyahu, stop being afraid’: Gantz doubles down, accusing PM of stymying hostage deal to save coalition

By Sam Sokol 22 December 2024, 5:13 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

National Unity chair Benny Gantz is seen at a discussion about the Israel Broadcasting Authorities at a Knesset Economic Affairs meeting, Jerusalem, December 18, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Continuing his war of words with Benjamin Netanyahu, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz’s office issues a statement accusing the prime minister of standing in the way of a hostage deal so as not to endanger the stability of his right-wing coalition.

“Netanyahu, don’t be a serial coward. You were afraid to break up the coalition, and Gantz’s insistence alone has already brought back over 100 hostages,” the statement says, accusing Netanyahu of being “afraid” to order military maneuvers in Gaza until pushed to do so by the former war cabinet minister.

“You trembled at the possibility of launching a campaign in the north to return the residents to their homes by September 1 when Gantz pushed you to do so. You know very well that if the situation had not been forced upon you, you would never have done so,” it continues.

“Netanyahu, you have already sabotaged the possibility of reaching a hostage deal in the past for fear of breaking up the coalition. We will not allow you to do this again when there is a real deal on the table. Netanyahu, stop being afraid.”