Israeli politician Benny Gantz proposes a temporary political ceasefire to facilitate a hostage negotiation in Gaza, concerning a disputed matter.
In a surprising turn of events, Israeli former defence minister Benny Gantz has called for a unity government with the opposition to release hostages held in Gaza. The move comes as the Israeli government faces increasing domestic pressure to secure an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Gantz's proposal aims to bypass far-right parties and strike a hostage release deal. He stated that the duty of the state is to save lives of all citizens and called on Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to consider his offer. This comes after the Israeli government last conducted negotiations regarding the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza shortly before August 28, 2025.
The Israeli government had agreed on a plan including five principles to end the Gaza war: disarm Hamas, secure the return of all hostages alive or dead, demilitarize Gaza, maintain Israeli security control over the coastal area, and establish a civilian administration independent from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. However, the plan has faced opposition within the coalition government, which depends on support from far-right members who oppose ending the war and making deals with Hamas.
The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to expand the offensive in Gaza earlier this month, and Netanyahu ordered negotiations aimed at freeing the remaining hostages, and a new offensive to take control of Gaza City. However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Netanyahu's coalition, dismissed Gantz's plan. Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that Israel would destroy Gaza City if Hamas does not agree to disarm, release all remaining hostages, and end the war on Israel's terms.
Meanwhile, Hamas has said it would release captives in exchange for ending the war, but it rejects disarmament without the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinian militants also hold the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 war.
The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population in Gaza. The International Peace Corps (IPC) stated that famine is affecting 500,000 people in the Gaza governorate. The UN officially declared a famine in Gaza on Friday, blaming the "systematic obstruction" of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of war. Thousands of protesters again took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, voicing their opposition to the ongoing war and calling for a deal to release the hostages.
Both Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman have previously rejected joining any Netanyahu-led government. The Israeli government's coalition faces a risk of collapse after the parliament's summer recess ends, due to the loss of support from ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties over military draft legislation.
As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the proposed unity government by Gantz offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and the release of the hostages. The international community will be closely watching developments as the Israeli government grapples with the complexities of ending the war and finding a lasting peace.
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