Benny Gantz, a former Israeli military leader, has publicly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance on maintaining troops in the southern Gaza border area, known as the Philadelphi corridor. Gantz, who departed from Netanyahu's war cabinet in June 2024, asserts that Israel's primary existential threat stems from Iran, not the border region.
In a press conference held on September 3, 2024, Gantz responded to Netanyahu's insistence on keeping Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor. The former general argued that while the area is significant for preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza, stationing troops there would make them vulnerable targets and ineffective in stopping underground tunnels.
Gantz emphasized the need for strategic decision-making, stating, "The story is not Philadelphi but the lack of making truly strategic decisions." He revealed the existence of a plan to block Hamas tunnels with a barrier, criticizing Netanyahu for not advancing this initiative politically.
The disagreement over the Philadelphi corridor has become a major obstacle in negotiations aimed at halting the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of Israeli hostages. As of September 2024, approximately 101 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, nearly 11 months after the October 7, 2023 attack.
Gantz's statements come amidst growing frustration among Israel's allies, including the United States, regarding Netanyahu's approach to the negotiations. This rift has also widened between Netanyahu and his own Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.
"We need to bring about a deal - either in stages or in one stage."
The former military chief also called for new elections and urged Netanyahu to step down if he cannot withstand international pressure. Gantz's remarks coincided with ongoing protests in Tel Aviv, where thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating for three consecutive days in support of a deal to bring back the hostages.
In addition to addressing the Gaza situation, Gantz advocated for an offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon to halt daily rocket fire and enable displaced northern Israeli citizens to return home.
Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Gantz's statements, defending his government's actions. The Prime Minister highlighted recent successes, including the elimination of key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and the seizure of the Philadelphi corridor, which he described as "the lifeline by which Hamas arms itself."
This public disagreement underscores the complex challenges Israel faces in balancing security concerns, diplomatic pressures, and the urgent need to resolve the hostage crisis. As tensions continue to simmer, the debate over Israel's strategic priorities and the path forward in Gaza remains at the forefront of national discourse.