Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation today, Sunday, from the war government formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thus the only force belonging to the center stream in the far-right coalition led by Netanyahu withdraws, amid the ongoing war for months on the Gaza Strip, as government member Gadi Eisenkot and Minister Hili Trooper from the State Camp party also announced their resignation from the government.

Gantz said in a televised address, "Netanyahu is preventing us from moving toward a real victory. For this reason, we leave the emergency government today with a heavy heart, but with complete honesty."

He considered that Netanyahu is failing in the war against "Hamas" in Gaza.

Gantz also called for early elections, saying, "Elections must be held that ultimately lead to the formation of a government that has the trust of the people and is capable of facing challenges."

He continued: "I call on Netanyahu: Set a mutually agreed date for the elections."

Gantz (65 years old) is seen as the most likely candidate to form a coalition if Netanyahu's government is toppled and early elections are held.

Gantz had said last month that he would resign from the war government if the Prime Minister did not agree to a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

However, Gantz's resignation is not expected to lead to the fall of the government formed by a coalition of extremist religious and nationalist parties.

His party, the "National Union," introduced a bill last week to dissolve the Knesset and hold early elections.

Gantz called on Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to show courage and "do what is right," just as he called on Netanyahu to set a mutually agreed date for the elections.

He also called on party leaders to stand by him for early elections to form a national unity Zionist government, noting that he supports the deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden and asked Netanyahu to have the courage to succeed in it, while addressing the families of the abductees saying: "We have failed the test and have not been able to bring back your sons."

Netanyahu comments...

On X platform, Netanyahu commented, saying: "Just a few hours ago, the entire State of Israel mourned and honored the late hero of Israel Arnon Zamora... Israel is waging an existential war on multiple fronts... O Benny Gantz, this is not the time to abandon the front, but this is the time to unite forces."

He added: "Israeli citizens, we will continue until victory, achieving all the war aims, foremost of which is the release of all hostages, and the eradication of Hamas, and my door will remain open to any Zionist party that wants to help achieve victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented on the resignation, saying: "The decision of Gantz and Eisenkot to leave the failed government is important and correct. It is time to replace this extremist government with a rational one, which will lead to the return of security to the citizens of Israel, the return of prisoners and detainees, and the restoration of the economy and Israel's international standing."

Ben Gvir and Smotrich

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir did not wait long, announcing that he had submitted a request to Netanyahu to join the war cabinet instead of Gantz and Eisenkot.

For his part, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: "Gantz has withdrawn from the war cabinet for irresponsible political reasons aimed at dismantling cohesion... I call on Zionist party leaders who care about Israel to join the unity government to achieve victory."

Resignation of Eisenkot and Trooper

Israeli War Council member Gadi Eisenkot also announced his resignation from the war government, following the decision announced by Gantz, the head of the State Camp party to which Eisenkot belongs, and likewise, Minister Hili Trooper from the State Camp party submitted his resignation from the government after the resignations of Gantz and Eisenkot.

Eisenkot said in his resignation letter: "Despite my efforts and my colleagues, the war cabinet has long refrained from making the necessary decisions to achieve the war's objectives."

According to Channel 12, "Gantz is also playing a political game; he is not different from Netanyahu, but he is not as clever... In general, there is an internal deadlock, and now this deadlock is deepening."