Israel's People's Pressure Increases, Political Rival Netanyahu Proposes Ceasefire In Order To Seize Public Trust

PM Benjamin Netanyahu (surfaced) with the Israeli army. (doc Mayan Toaf-GPO)

JAKARTA - Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz urged Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu to form a joint unity government of the opposition in an effort to help free the hostages in Gaza as well as win the trust of their citizens.

The Netanyahu coalition government tends to follow the stance of Israel's tough far-right political group against an end to war and any agreement with the Palestinian independence group, Hamas.

Gantz, Netanyahu's rival who remains in close contact with the Israeli government, proposed a temporary coalition that would prevent right-wing parties from being too involved in the policy so that the deal for the release of hostages was reached.

"I am here representing the silent hostages. I am here for the soldiers who shouted, and who have not heard anyone in this government," Gantz said in a televised press conference on Saturday local time, quoted from AFP.

"Our country's job first, and especially to save the lives of Jews and all citizens," added Gantz.

He also asked fellow leaders of opposition parties, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, to consider the offer.

Both opposition leaders, Lapid and Lieberman, previously refused to join the Netanyahu-led Israeli government.

The Netanyahu Government Coalition faces a high risk of losing public trust after the parliamentary recess ended this summer.

The risk arose after Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties had the potential to withdraw support from the Netanyahu Government. The parties disagreed with the law seeking military service for religious seminary students.

If Gantz's proposal is approved, Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition, is likely to be eliminated.

"The far-right voters chose the right-wing policy not Gantz's policy, not a centrist government, not an agreement to surrender to Hamas, but yes to an absolute victory," Ben Gvir strongly rejected Gantz's proposal in a statement.

Netanyahu's government continues to face pressure from its people to end the war in Gaza. The public pressure was followed by demonstrations demanding an agreement to release the hostages.

Of the 251 people held hostage during Israel's land invasion of Palestine by the end of 2023, 49 people were still detained in Gaza, including 27 people who Israel's military says have died.

Demonstrations in Israel have intensified since Netanyahu's security cabinet approved plans to expand attacks on Gaza and capture the largest Palestinian city.