Israel PM Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet: official | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Israel PM Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet: official
Agence France-Presse
Published Jun 17, 2024 09:07 PM PHT
A Palestinian boy stands in a destroyed room a UN-school housing displaced people that was hit during Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, on June 6, 2024. Bashar Taleb, AFP
A Palestinian boy stands in a destroyed room a UN-school housing displaced people that was hit during Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, on June 6, 2024. Bashar Taleb, AFPJERUSALEM — A senior Israeli official told AFP on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dissolved the war cabinet following the resignation earlier this month of centrist leader Benny Gantz.
JERUSALEM — A senior Israeli official told AFP on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dissolved the war cabinet following the resignation earlier this month of centrist leader Benny Gantz.
The official said on condition of anonymity that the wider "security cabinet will continue to decide on matters regarding the war" between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The official said on condition of anonymity that the wider "security cabinet will continue to decide on matters regarding the war" between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media said the move, which was not expected to trigger any major policy shift, was meant to counter pressure from far-right politicians seeking a greater say in decision-making.
Israeli media said the move, which was not expected to trigger any major policy shift, was meant to counter pressure from far-right politicians seeking a greater say in decision-making.
The war cabinet was formed after Gantz had left the opposition to join Netanyahu's government following Hamas' October 7 attack.
The war cabinet was formed after Gantz had left the opposition to join Netanyahu's government following Hamas' October 7 attack.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gantz and another member of his party, Gadi Eisenkot, both former military chiefs, had agreed to join the government on condition that a war cabinet be formed, said another Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.
Gantz and another member of his party, Gadi Eisenkot, both former military chiefs, had agreed to join the government on condition that a war cabinet be formed, said another Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.
With Gantz and Eisenkot out of the government, "there is no longer a need for" the war cabinet, said the official.
With Gantz and Eisenkot out of the government, "there is no longer a need for" the war cabinet, said the official.
"It means that the security cabinet will meet more often. The security cabinet is the body responsible for making decisions (related to the war) anyway."
"It means that the security cabinet will meet more often. The security cabinet is the body responsible for making decisions (related to the war) anyway."
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who were all part of the war cabinet, also sit on the security cabinet -- the key forum ratifying decisions regarding the war including truce and hostage release negotiations.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who were all part of the war cabinet, also sit on the security cabinet -- the key forum ratifying decisions regarding the war including truce and hostage release negotiations.
Gantz announced his resignation on June 9 after failing to get Netanyahu to approve a post-war plan for Gaza.
Gantz announced his resignation on June 9 after failing to get Netanyahu to approve a post-war plan for Gaza.
ADVERTISEMENT
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu dissolved the war cabinet to avoid including far-right coalition members in the sensitive forum, fearing harm to relations with key Western allies such as the United States.
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu dissolved the war cabinet to avoid including far-right coalition members in the sensitive forum, fearing harm to relations with key Western allies such as the United States.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are both security cabinet members and opposed to a truce before Hamas is "eliminated", have put pressure on Netanyahu to add them to the war cabinet.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are both security cabinet members and opposed to a truce before Hamas is "eliminated", have put pressure on Netanyahu to add them to the war cabinet.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 37,347 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 37,347 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
© Agence France-Presse
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
