Overview

• Benny Gantz urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a short-term coalition with opposition parties focused on securing the return of hostages from Gaza.
• Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, rejected the plan and said voters chose a hard-line course rather than compromise with Hamas.
• Gantz said the temporary alignment should sidestep far-right ministers he argues are blocking a negotiated agreement.
• Netanyahu’s coalition faces new instability as parliament prepares to reconvene following a loss of ultra-Orthodox backing over military draft legislation.
• Out of 251 people abducted in 2023, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead, while nationwide protests press for a deal.