Sources within the Israeli Cabinet, responsible for managing war affairs (War Cabinet), have indicated a “significant deterioration” in relations among Cabinet members in recent times, primarily due to the failure to make strategic decisions and lack of progress on the hostage issue.
According to sources speaking to the television channel “Kan,” the dissolution of the Cabinet seems “closer than ever.” The sources stated, “The tense relations within the Cabinet are not only among individuals at the political level but also between them and the military leadership.”
Government ministers had strongly criticized Defense Minister Yuval Galant, demanding his dismissal, blaming him for ongoing failures, particularly after disputes over the “day after” scenario for the Gaza war. This followed Galant’s rejection of a military ruling in the sector, sought by Netanyahu.
Galant responded to ministers, saying, “I am the first to oppose a Palestinian state, and I support Israeli control from the river to the sea. But Gaza is not Mount Shekh, nor is it Jerusalem. There are two million Palestinians there, and there is no Israeli interest.” Galant believed that a military rule in Gaza would cost a lot in blood, money, and time.
Triple Alliance
Ahead of the meeting, it was planned that Benny Gantz would outline his conditions to Netanyahu for remaining in the Cabinet. Sources suggested Gantz would announce his conditions and demands to Netanyahu to stay in the government and the War Cabinet. This came as opposition leader Yair Lapid called for resignations from what he dubbed the worst government in Israel’s history, demanding early elections.
The War Cabinet, managing war affairs, briefly discussed negotiations for the release of hostages during its previous session. However, Prime Minister interrupted speakers, stating there wasn’t enough time to discuss the matter and would schedule a follow-up. The failure to agree on war priorities, including a prisoner swap deal and the “day after” in Gaza, could lead to the collapse of the War Cabinet, especially as the second minister in the Cabinet, Gadi Eisenkot, intends to resign due to the dominance of extremist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in Netanyahu’s coalition.
Ceasefire Talks
Meanwhile, mediators, including the United States, are attempting to push for new ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. However, prevailing belief in Israel is that any agreement will only materialize through tightening pressure on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Sources told the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) that mediators are seeking to renew ceasefire talks, as they reached a stalemate, and that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, arriving in Israel on Sunday, will discuss the deal with Israeli officials.
Sullivan’s visit aims to halt a broader Israeli offensive planned against Rafah, a border city with Egypt. The White House believes reaching a prisoner exchange deal is the only way to achieve a Gaza ceasefire and prevent a full-scale invasion of Rafah, which has become a significant threat to US President Joe Biden before the presidential elections.
Sullivan reportedly told ambassadors from 17 countries, whose nationals are held by Hamas, last Wednesday that his administration believes Sinwar withdrew from ceasefire talks last week in hopes of increasing international pressure on Israel to end the war.
Pressuring Hamas
Sullivan informed ambassadors that there is a need to pressure Hamas directly or through intermediaries. Hamas had agreed to an Egyptian proposal for an exchange deal, but Israel rejected it, claiming the proposal was modified, leading to the collapse of negotiations. As part of American attempts for another round, Brett McGurk, senior adviser to President Biden for Middle Eastern affairs, visited Doha last Wednesday, meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss resuming talks, according to sources familiar with the meeting speaking to the US site “Axios.”
However, informed Israeli officials, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, believe that it is essential to tighten pressure on Hamas leader Sinwar in Gaza and intensify pressure on him, “because this is the only way to push for a prisoner release deal in the sector.” The officials affirmed, “Currently, there is a real deadlock, but there are attempts by mediating countries.”
