Report: Gantz could return to Netanyahu’s coalition if far-right parties quit over hostage deal

The coalition is considering inviting Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party to join the government if the far-right Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism parties quit in the wake of Israeli acquiescence to a deal that ends the Gaza war, Army Radio reports.

According to Army Radio, contacts between Blue and White and the coalition are being handled by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who hopes that Gantz can help broker an agreement on ultra-Orthodox conscription. Both Deri’s office and Blue and White deny the report.

“We are not aware of such an appeal. As we have said before, we will provide a safety net for the return of the hostages and for appropriate political moves from the outside,” Blue and White tells Army Radio.

Otzma Yehudit chair Itamar Ben Gvir is said to have reached out to Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich to discuss working together to torpedo a US-backed deal to end the war and secure the release of all hostages, although Smotrich’s office denies that he agreed to meet on the matter.

In response, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and Gantz both promised that their parties will provide any support from across the aisle to ensure that the deal isn’t torpedoed.

Gantz, who once built his political career on being a viable alternative to Netanyahu, has not categorically ruled out sitting in government with the premier again if necessary.