Gantz: "We will continue to listen to our friends, and always do what is right for Israel's security"

State Camp party leader and war cabinet member Benny Gantz responded today (Monday) to the UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire by saying it has "no operative significance for us."

Gantz said that "the State of Israel has a moral duty to continue the fighting until the return of the hostages and the removal of the threat of Hamas," and that while "we will continue to listen to our friends," the government will "always do what is right for Israel's security."

Gantz also disagreed with Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to not send a delegation to discuss future operations in Rafah with American officials, praising Defense Minister Gallant's visit to Washington and stating that Netanyahu himself should follow suit.

The Prime Minister announced that following a US abstention on a Security Council resolution which did not make a cease-fire conditional on the release of hostages, the Israeli delegation meant to discuss operations in Rafah with the Biden administration would not be going to DC.

The Prime Minister responded that this was a "retreat" from the US' consistent, official stance since the war began. He also stated that this decision harms the war effort and the effort to bring about the release of the hostages, since it gives Hamas hope that it can get a ceasefire without releasing the hostages.

An Israeli delegation was planned to set out for Washington this week to discuss the Rafah operation with the Biden administration. The Prime Minister warned that it would not leave if the US did not veto the UN resolution, and has now acted on that threat.