Smotrich and Ben-Gvir: Gantz resignation a 'great opportunity'

Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich has said that the resignation of Minister Benny Gantz from the war cabinet would allow leaders "to act in a much more decisive and determined manner against the Palestinian Authority."

He spoke at the meeting of the religious Zionist faction, alongside far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who described Gantz's departure as a "great opportunity to step up and bring victory."

"Whoever demands to bomb Gaza and stop the entry of Palestinian workers should be a member of the war cabinet," he added.

Ben-Gvir demanded Gantz's seat on the war cabinet following his resignation.

"The time has come to make brave decisions," Ben-Gvir said in a post to X social media that included a copy of his official demand.