Netanyahu's staunchest newspaper ally says he should resign

An Israeli newspaper regarded as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staunchest backer has called for his resignation at the end of the Gaza war.

Israel Hayom, owned by Israeli-American businessman Sheldon Adelson, has been described as a "mouthpiece" for Netanyahu and his Likud party since its founding in 2007.

However, on Tuesday Uri Dagon, the head of the outlet's News Department, published a column in which said Netanyahu should "lead us to victory and then go".

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is focused on the war, no doubt, but Bibi Netanyahu is focused on saving his skin," read the article, using a nickname for the prime minister.

"He looks at his predicament and thinks about the day after the war while prosecuting it; he is thinking about the ways to preserve his governing Coalition, stay in power, and keep his political viability over the years."

He said that the long-running protests against Netanyahu's judicial reforms had undermined the cohesiveness of the nation, something only revived by the Hamas attack on 7 October.

"Therefore, maybe it's time to think out loud rather than in a whisper: Benjamin Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible," he wrote.