Netanyahu's government is on the verge of collapse and fall

Israeli minister Benny Gantz (photo) announced in a speech on Sunday his party's withdrawal from the emergency government formed after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Gantz says as he exits coalition, AXIOS informs.

Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF chief of staff and current minister without portfolio, also announced his resignation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, which still holds a 64-member majority in the Knesset, won't fall apart but it will likely be destabilized. Gantz's exit is also likely to exacerbate the political crisis in Israel as the war in Gaza continues and as hostage and ceasefire negotiations are ongoing.

Gantz, who was a member of Netanyahu's war cabinet for eight months, is seen by the Biden administration and many other Western and Arab governments as a moderate. His departure is likely to increase U.S. and international pressure on Netanyahu.

With Gantz's withdrawal, Netanyahu's government will be dominated even more by the ultranationalist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who will likely increase pressure on the prime minister to take an even more hardline approach to the war in Gaza, take steps against the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and escalate attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Gantz and the two other members of the cabinet from his party sent resignation letters to Netanyahu. The resignations will go into effect in 48 hours.

Gantz said Netanyahu's promise for total victory against Hamas was empty and that Israelis deserve "a real victory" that "puts the release of the hostages above political survival."

"Netanyahu prevents us from getting a real victory. This is why we are leaving the government with a heavy heart but a full heart," Gantz said.

Gantz also called for a national commission of inquiry into Oct. 7 to be formed as soon as possible.

On Saturday night, Netanyahu issued a statement calling on Gantz to stay in the government, but Gantz's aides made clear there was no change in plans other than a temporary postponement.

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