Former Israeli defence minister urges six-month unity government to secure Gaza captives

Former Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz has offered to temporarily rejoin Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to secure the release of captives held in Gaza. Gantz urged Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Avigdor Liberman to form a six-month “government of redeeming the captives.” This proposal has drawn criticism from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who stated that Israel's government is stronger without Gantz. Ben-Gvir emphasized that voters chose a right-wing policy of absolute victory, not surrender deals with Hamas.