Israel's Gantz accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging Gaza leadership change

Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing efforts to change the leadership in Gaza for the past year.

Speaking at a faction meeting of the Machane Mamlachti party, Gantz stated, "The war in Gaza is essentially over. We could have freed the hostages long ago. Action is needed now, as too much time has been lost. We cannot afford to wait any longer," Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

Gantz also addressed the situation in the north, stressing that only the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would be able to ensure security in the region. He warned that Israel’s readiness would be tested if Hezbollah violated any agreements.

"We have proposals for Lebanon, but we will not compromise on our security," he added.

Meanwhile, Gantz has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to bomb government facilities in Beirut following deadly attacks on Lebanon. 

In a post on X, Gantz urged targeting Lebanese state buildings, which have not yet been hit in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

Since late September, the Israeli military has been conducting near-daily airstrikes across Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah, as tensions between Israel and the Lebanese group have intensified amid the Gaza conflict.

Military analyst Avi Ashkenazi, writing for Maariv newspaper, suggested that the Lebanese Parliament could be a strategic target, as it is part of Hezbollah’s political infrastructure. He also recommended further airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs to strengthen Israel's control in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev