Intense dispute between Netanyahu and Gantz and its impact on the war

ALBAWABA – As the conflict in Gaza approaches its third month, ongoing disputes persist between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yauv Gantz. The latest chapter unfolded when Gantz refused to hold a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu revealed that he proposed a joint press conference to Gantz but stated that Gantz “chose what he chose,” indicating that Gantz held a separate press conference in Tel Aviv. A report from Israeli Channel 12 disclosed that Gantz was scheduled for an urgent meeting with Chief of Staff Hertzl Halevi, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar regarding military operations and the war with Hamas. However, Netanyahu intervened to prevent the meeting’s completion.

In his remarks, the Israeli Prime Minister asserted that he has a mandate from the Israeli people to lead and does not act according to opinion polls. He referred to surveys showing a significant decline in his popularity and that of the ruling right-wing Likud party, while opposition parties gain traction.

Both Netanyahu and Gantz, in their respective press conferences, pledged to continue the war on Gaza until undermining the military strength of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Signs of discord between the key figures in the Israeli war council emerged in the early weeks of the Gaza conflict.

Last month, Defense Minister Gantz and War Council member Benny Gantz shook hands at the end of a press conference in Tel Aviv but ignored Prime Minister Netanyahu. The tension escalated amid mutual accusations regarding the failure to prevent the Palestinian Resistance’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7