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Can Gantz's 'Hostage Government' Idea Break Israel's Political Deadlock?
Benny Gantz aims to bypass far-right opposition to form a unity government focused on releasing 49 hostages still held in Gaza and setting the 2026 election date.
- On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Benny Gantz called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a temporary coalition bypassing far-right parties to negotiate a hostage-release deal, urging Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to join.
- Facing coalition constraints, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reliance on far-right coalition members opposes ending the war, risking collapse after parliament's summer recess amid rising mass protesters in Israel demanding a deal.
- Detailing the hostage toll, officials note 251 hostages seized in Hamas's 2023 attack, with 49 still held in Gaza including 27 the Israeli military says are dead, while Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed Gantz's plan and defended right-wing voters' choice for 'absolute victory'.
- The immediate effect is heightened political risk, as parliament's summer recess ends amid eroding coalition support and mass protesters in Israel demand a hostage deal.
- Politically, the offer underscores the high stakes of securing hostages and faces complications as Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman have rejected joining Netanyahu's government, while Itamar Ben Gvir likely resists sidelining.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Israeli opposition politician Gantz has called for the formation of a temporary united government.
The leader of National Unity urged Netanyahu and the opposition to form a transitional six-month cabinet, without the extreme right, to advance an agreement to rescue the captives in Gaza
Gantz offers political truce to help secure Gaza captives deal
Israeli former defence minister Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to forge a unity government along with members of the opposition in a bid to help release the captives held in Gaza. Netanyahu's coalition government depends on support from far-right members who oppose ending the war and making any deal with Palestinian group Hamas. Gantz, a rival of Netanyahu who nonetheless joined his government in the early da…
Benny Gantz proposes that Netanyahu establish a transitional government to jointly secure the release of Hamas' hostages.
Since its July coalition of Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parties left, Benyamin Netanyahu has no more absolute majority in Parliament and is dependent on his far-right allies, who refuse any hostage-freement agreement with Hamas.
Benny Gantz Urges Time-Limited National Unity Government to Further Chances of Hostage Deal
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz attends his party’s meeting at the Knesset, Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 27, 2022. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun i24 News – Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition politicians to form a temporary national unity government to further the chances of bringing home the hostages held in Gaza. Addressing Netanyahu, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberma…
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