The resignation of a senior member of Israel’s war Cabinet was a dramatic show of distrust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his strategy for the eight-month-old war with Hamas.
The departure of Benny Gantz does not immediately appear to threaten Netanyahu, who still controls a majority coalition in parliament.
For now, the Israeli leader becomes more heavily reliant on far-right allies who oppose the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and want to press ahead with the war.
Here’s a look at what Gantz’s decision means for Israeli politics and for the war.
Gantz, a centrist who is seen as Netanyahu’s main political opponent, resigned after months of mounting tensions within the war Cabinet over Israel’s strategy in Gaza.
On Oct. 7, Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and took about 250 hostages back to Gaza. Since then, Netanyahu has pledged twin goals: defeating Hamas and bringing back the hostages.
