Israeli Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he will step down if Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire.Earlier this week, it became known that hamas has responded positively to a new ceasefire proposal. The proposal entails 60 days ceasefire against the release of half of the remaining hostages. The proposal should be almost identical to a proposal previously accepted by Israel, but the Israeli government has so far not come up with any response to the latest proposal.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Council of Ministers and adviser Ron Dermer is in Paris where he meets high -ranking representatives from Qatar. Deremer said that the prerequisite for a ceasefire in Gaza was the release of all the remaining hostages, according to a reporter from the Israeli channel Channel 12.
Facts about the hostages at Gaza
Hamas took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. From the past there were four hostages in captivity at Hamas.
49 hostages are still in captivity. Of thes, 29 are dead.
In 2023, 110 hostages were released in different ways.
In 2024, seven hostages were rescued alive.By 2025, 29 hostages have been released by Hamas in connection with agreement. 57 dead hostages have been returned. A hostage has been released alive in action.
Source: IDF
But smotrich, who leads one of the government parties that supports Netanyahu, has said he will step down if it becomes a ceasef
Benny Gantz Resigns from Israeli War Cabinet
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny gantz announced his resignation during a televised address in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, on June 9, 2024.Gantz stated he was quitting the government after previously threatening to leave due to the lack of a clear post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip. “We are leaving the unity government with a heavy heart,” Gantz said in his televised address.
Party leader: benny Gantz is a former Lieutenant General in the Israeli defense forces. He formed his own party and is now the leader of the opposition in the knesset.
Photo: Jack Guez (AFP/NTB)
A key concern in Israel is that rejecting a ceasefire and proceeding with an offensive against Gaza City could endanger the lives of the hostages held by Hamas.
Key takeaways
- Benny Gantz has resigned from the Israeli war cabinet.
- The resignation stems from disagreements over a post-war strategy for Gaza.
- A major concern driving the debate is the safety of the hostages held in Gaza.
FAQ
- Who is Benny Gantz?
- Benny Gantz is a former Lieutenant General in the Israeli defense forces and the current leader of the opposition in the Knesset. He formed his own political party.
- Why did Gantz resign?
- Gantz resigned due to a lack of a clear post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip, a concern he voiced publicly before taking this action.
- What is the main concern regarding a potential offensive in Gaza?
- There is meaningful fear that an offensive against Gaza City could put the lives of the hostages held by Hamas at risk.
Publication Date: 2025/08/20 22:52:13