IP - Israeli Minister Benny Gantz has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government delivering a blow to the prime minister who has been celebrating a Pyrrhic Victory in the rare rescue of four Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.

Iran Press/ West Asia: “Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but full confidence,” Gantz said at a televised news conference on Sunday.

He called for early elections, saying “There should be elections that will eventually establish a government that will win the people's trust and can face challenges”.

“I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date.”

Gantz last month threatened to leave the emergency government – formed in the previous year to oversee the war on Gaza – if Netanyahu failed to present a post-war plan for the besieged and bombarded Palestinian territory, where Israel is continuing a ground and aerial bombardment campaign that has killed more than 37,000 people since October 7, according to Gaza health officials.

Gantz had been expected to resign on Saturday, but he postponed the announcement for one day due to the Nuseirat massacre and left his post on Sunday. 

The retired army general, who has served as minister without portfolio since 2023, is regarded to be the main political rival to Netanyahu.

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