Israeli minister Gantz presents ultimatum to Bibi on post-Gaza war strategy

• The speech came a few days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented his public indictment against Netanyahu and his unwillingness to draft a post-war strategy.

What they’re saying: Gantz said in his speech that an extremist minority took over the decision-making “and is taking Israel into a wall.”

• He was referring to Netanyahu’s political allies and ultranationalist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Betzalel Smotruch.
• Gantz accused Netanyahu of being driven by personal and political considerations and not by the country’s national security interests.
• He said the cabinet needs to draft a strategy that will prioritize releasing hostages held by Hamas and only afterwards focus on toppling Hamas rule in Gaza.

Zoom in: He said the strategy must include forming a U.S.-European-Arab-Palestinian directorate in charge of civilian administration in Gaza that won’t include Hamas and won’t be under the authority of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

• Gantz said another element in the strategy must be the normalization deal with Saudi Arabia that the Biden administration has been working on.

The other side: “Instead of presenting an ultimatum to Hamas, Gantz presented an ultimatum to the Prime Minister,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

• Netanyahu’s office said Gantz’s ultimatum means a defeat for Israel, the abandonment of the majority of the hostages, the survival of Hamas in Gaza and the formation of a Palestinian state.

• Netanyahu’s statement made clear for the first time that he rejects the Saudi demand to get an irreversible and time-bound Israeli commitment for a path toward a Palestinian state in return for a normalization deal.

State of play: The political crisis exploded a day before White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to arrive in Israel from Saudi Arabia and hold separate meetings with Netanyahu and Gantz.

• Sullivan’s talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday focused on the “Mega Deal” the Biden administration wants to reach with Saudi Arabia and includes a historic peace deal between the kingdom and Israel.

Go deeper: Israeli defense chief unloads on Bibi over lack of post-war plan