Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has demanded Prime Minister Netanyahu decide on a plan on what will happen after the Gaza conflict. This will stipulate who will rule the territory after Hamas.
Gantz spoke in a press conference on Saturday. He said the Netanyahu war cabinet must form a six-point plan by June 8. He threatened to leave the coalition if this was not done.
Gantz said the six-point plan must firstly include the return of hostages. Secondly, there must be a demilitarisation of the strip. Thirdly, there must be an internal administration of civilian affairs. Finally, the plan wants Israel to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia.
The plan will also include equitable national service for all Israelis. These include the ultra-Orthodox Jews. They are exempted from the military draft and have two parties in Netanyahu’s coalition. They are determined to preserve the waiver.
Opinion polls show Gantz is Netanyahu’s main political rival.
Netanyahu is already facing strains in the inner-war cabinet. He has also clashed with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant.
Gallant has demanded clarity on post-war plans. He does not want any military reoccupation of Gaza.
Netanyahu has so far not held any debate on the “Day After.”
Right-wing coalition parties have demanded that Gaza must be annexed and settled.
The Israeli Division Force (IDF) will need a number of military divisions to maintain the strip. It does not have them.
(REUTERS)
