Israeli war cabinet minister’s party proposes to dissolve parliament

Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz’s centrist party has proposed holding a parliamentary vote on dissolving the Knesset, but it was unclear whether he has enough support to bring about early elections.

The move on followed an ultimatum that Gantz issued this month, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a plan for post-war Gaza by June 8. He threatened to quit the coalition if no such plan was forthcoming, Al Jazeera reports.

Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government shortly after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, the day Hamas led attacks on southern Israeli communities.

Gantz’s centrist bloc split up in March, and his party does not on its own control enough seats in parliament to bring down the ruling coalition.

Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party countered: “The dissolution of the unity government is a reward for [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar, a capitulation to international pressure and a fatal blow to efforts to free our hostages”.

It added that Israel needs unity and disbanding the government would hurt the war effort. Israel’s assault on Gaza has been met with widespread global condemnation as the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 36,000 and continues to mount.

An election is not scheduled before the final quarter of 2026.