PM Netanyahu Reportedly Disbanded Israel's War Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly dissolved a six-member war cabinet, an Israeli official said.

The dissolution of the cabinet of war is considered a widely expected step after the departure of former general Benny Gantz from the government.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, June 17, Netanyahu is now facing demands from nationalist-religious partners in his coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to be included in the war cabinet, a move that will escalate tensions with international partners including the United States.

As previously reported, Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Emergency Administration on Sunday, June 9. Gantz highlighted Netanyahu's promise regarding the strategy in the Gaza Strip

Gantz's resignation marks the loss of his only central force in PM Netanyahu's far-right coalition. Although it does not pose a threat to Lansyng, it makes the prime minister dependent on the hard line, with no sign of an end to Gaza's war and the possibility of escalating fighting with Lebanese Hezbollah.