Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a senior cabinet minister's talks with the United States that arrived in Washington on Sunday, according to an Israeli**, suggesting that divisions within the Israeli leadership are widening. Israel's war with Hamas has been going on for almost five months. The trip of Gantz, the centrist political rival who joined Netanyahu's wartime cabinet after the October 7 attacks, is a growing friction between the United States and Netanyahu over how to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and plans for the postwar enclave. A member of Netanyahu's far-right Likud party said Gantz's trip was planned without authorization from the Israeli leader. The **, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu had a "difficult talk" with Gantz and told him that the country "has only one prime minister."
Gantz is scheduled to meet with U.S. Deputy Harris and Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. An Israeli**, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Gantz's trip was aimed at strengthening ties with the United States, strengthening support for Israel's war and pushing for the release of Israeli hostages. In Egypt, talks are underway to broker a ceasefire ahead of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan next week. Another Israeli***, who asked not to be named, said that Israel did not send a delegation because it was waiting for Hamas's response to two questions. Israel reports that it is waiting to find out which hostages are still alive and how many Palestinian prisoners Hamas wants to exchange for hostages.
On Saturday, the United States airdropped aid to Gaza. Last week, dozens of Palestinians were killed while stealing food from an Israeli-organized convoy that bypassed aid delivery systems hampered by Israeli restrictions, logistical problems and fighting in Gaza. Aid** says airdrops are far less effective than trucks. U.S. priorities in the region are increasingly hampered by Netanyahu's cabinet. Gantz's moderate party sometimes acts as a counterbalance.
Israelis criticizing Netanyahu say his decision-making has been influenced by political considerations, an accusation he denies. Criticism has focused in particular on plans for post-war Gaza. Netanyahu wants Israel to maintain unlimited security control over Gaza, with Palestinians running civil affairs. The United States would like to see progress towards the establishment of a Palestinian State, envisioning a reformed Palestinian leadership to govern Gaza, with a view to eventual statehood. Netanyahu and his hardliners oppose this vision. Another senior cabinet member of the Gantz party** questioned the handling of the war and the strategy of rescuing the hostages.
Netanyahu** is the most conservative and religious Israel has ever seen, and the court ordered a deadline for a new bill to expand the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews. Many of them were exempt from military service so that they could engage in religious studies. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been killed since 7 October, and the military is seeking to replenish its ranks. Gantz's vision of Palestinian statehood has been ambiguous. Polls show that if a vote is held today, he will receive enough support to become prime minister. If progress is made on the hostage issue, a visit to the United States could further boost Gantz's approval ratings.
Israelis, traumatized by the Hamas attacks, widely supported the war as an act of self-defense, despite increased global opposition to the fight. But a growing number of people are expressing disappointment with Netanyahu. About 10,000 people** demanded early elections late Saturday, according to Israel**. Such activity has increased in recent weeks, but it is still much smaller than last year's demonstrations against the judicial reform plan. Hazan, a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that if political divisions intensify and Gantz withdraws, then a broader campaign will be launched by the public, which was already dissatisfied with Hamas at the time of the attack.