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Gantz Issues Ultimatum Amidst $18.5bn Conflict: Netanyahu Must Act by June 8

As Israel-Gaza tensions rise, Minister Gantz sets a June 8 ultimatum for Netanyahu amidst the war's $18.5bn toll and over 34,000 casualties.

19th May 2024

 

Minister Benny Gantz is giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a clear ultimatum. Gantz has demanded that Netanyahu adopt a comprehensive strategic plan for Gaza by June 8. 


If these demands are not met, Gantz has threatened to withdraw from the government. This announcement is increasing political tensions at the highest levels of Israeli leadership.

 

Gantz has emphasized that essential leadership decisions are being neglected. He has criticized Netanyahu's far-right partners, accusing them of steering the country toward disaster. Gantz has argued that personal and political considerations are compromising Israeli security. He has set out six key objectives for Netanyahu to meet.

 

Six Key Objectives


Gantz has outlined specific goals for Netanyahu to achieve. First, he has insisted on the return of hostages. Second, he has demanded the demolition of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. 


Third, Gantz has proposed a new governance structure for Gaza, involving American, European, Arab, and Palestinian cooperation, excluding Hamas and Mahmoud Abbas.

 

Fourth, Gantz has called for the return of northern residents by September 1 and the rehabilitation of the western Negev. 


Fifth, he has urged the promotion of normalization with Saudi Arabia as part of a broader strategy against Iran. Finally, he has called for the adoption of a standardized Israeli national service for all citizens.

 

Gantz has warned that failure to meet these objectives will lead to his party's withdrawal from the government. He has stated that this move is necessary to avoid leading the nation into a crisis. 


Gantz has stressed the importance of unity, responsibility, and patriotism in making these decisions.

 

Netanyahu's Response


The Prime Minister’s Office has responded quickly to Gantz's ultimatum. They have accused Gantz of setting an ultimatum for Netanyahu instead of Hamas. 


The response has claimed that Gantz's conditions will lead to Israeli defeat and the continuation of Hamas's rule. They have stated that Israeli soldiers are not sacrificing their lives for an outcome that leaves Hamas in power.

 

The Prime Minister’s Office has posed three critical questions to Gantz.


They have asked whether he supports finishing the operation in Rafah, opposes civilian rule by the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, and is willing to accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Netanyahu's stance has been clear: he has opposed any PA involvement in Gaza and a Palestinian state.

 

The Prime Minister’s Office has stressed the importance of the emergency government in achieving the war's goals. 


They have expected Gantz to clarify his positions to the public. The response has suggested that Gantz is looking for an excuse to bring down the government.

 

Reactions from Political Leaders


Other political leaders have reacted quickly to Gantz's ultimatum. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has criticized Gantz, accusing him of trying to dismantle the government from the start.


Ben-Gvir has also blamed Gantz for the U.S. administration's hostile stance following his trip to Washington. He has argued that Gantz's proposals are flawed and unrealistic.

 

Former ally Gideon Sa’ar has also commented on Gantz's statement. Sa’ar has accused Gantz of being part of the problematic war effort and has criticized his leadership. 


Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has accused Gantz of pushing for a Palestinian state under American pressure. Smotrich has called for full Israeli control over Gaza instead.

 

Outgoing Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli has expressed frustration with Gantz's timeline. 


She has emphasized the urgency of returning the hostages, suggesting that waiting until June 8 is unacceptable. Michaeli’s remarks have highlighted the immediate human cost of the ongoing conflict.

 

Human Casualties and Impact


The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in significant human casualties. 


According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 34,183 people have been killed and 77,084 have been wounded in Israeli attacks. These numbers illustrate the severe human cost of the conflict, which continues to escalate.

 

The impact on families and communities is profound. With 34,183 deaths, if each family affected averages 5 members, around 170,915 individuals are directly affected by loss. 


Additionally, the 77,084 wounded represent a substantial number of people requiring medical care and rehabilitation. If the average cost of treating each wounded person is $5,000, the total medical costs amount to approximately $385.42 million.

 

Destruction of Housing


The conflict has also led to extensive destruction of housing in Gaza. According to reports, nearly 90,000 housing units have been destroyed, and nearly 300,000 units have been damaged. 


This has left many people homeless and in need of shelter.

 

If we estimate the cost of rebuilding each housing unit at $50,000, the total cost for reconstructing the 90,000 destroyed units is $4.5 billion. 


Additionally, if repairing each of the 300,000 damaged units costs $10,000, the total repair cost is $3 billion. Combining these, the overall housing reconstruction and repair costs amount to $7.5 billion.

 

Explosives and Environmental Impact


Israeli forces have dropped at least 75,000 tons of explosives on Gaza. 


The use of such a large amount of explosives not only causes immediate destruction but also has long-term environmental and health impacts. The cost of clearing unexploded ordnance and decontaminating affected areas can be substantial.

 

If the cost of clearing and decontaminating each ton of explosives is $10,000, the total cost would be $750 million. This includes efforts to remove debris, decontaminate water sources, and restore the environment.

 

Infrastructure Damage


A report published by the World Bank and the UN on April 2 estimates the cost of damage to critical infrastructure in the first four months of Israel’s war at $18.5 billion.


This figure includes damage to roads, hospitals, schools, and utilities essential for daily life.

 

The $18.5 billion estimate can be broken down into various sectors:

 


These sectors are crucial for the functioning of society and rebuilding them will take significant time and resources.

 

The political implications of Gantz’s ultimatum are significant. If Gantz withdraws, the government could face a crisis. This could lead to early elections or a reformation of the current coalition. 


The deadline of June 8 has left little time for negotiation and compromise.

 

Gantz’s six objectives have represented a comprehensive approach to the Gaza situation. Achieving these goals would require substantial resources and coordination. 


For instance, demilitarizing Gaza and establishing a new governance structure would involve complex diplomatic efforts and significant financial investment.

 

Normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia and creating a standardized national service are ambitious long-term goals. These initiatives could reshape Israel’s regional and domestic policies. However, they also require broad political support and careful planning.

 

Gantz's ultimatum has underscored the deep divisions within the Israeli government. It has highlighted the challenges of balancing security, political, and humanitarian concerns. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future direction of the government and its policies.