Gantz to deliver delayed statement to the press tonight at 20:00

State Camp party leader and war cabinet member Benny Gantz announced that he will deliver a statement to the press this evening on Sunday at 20:00, where he is expected to announce his party's departure from the government.

Three weeks ago, Gantz issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, which if not met would lead to his leaving the government, was based on three central principles: returning the hostages, collapsing the Hamas government including the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and ensuring Israeli security control, the establishment of an American-European-Arab-Palestinian administration which would run the Strip's civil affairs, returning the residents of the north to their homes by September 1, advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia, and adopting an equal basis for service.

Gantz was set to announce his party's departure from the government last night, when the ultimatum expired, but he delayed the decision due to the operation which rescued Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv from Hamas captivity.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu and members of the coalition pressured Gantz not to leave the government. In a statement posted on X, Netanyahu wrote: "This is the time for unity and not division. We must remain united within ourselves in the face of the great tasks we face. I call to Benny Gantz - don't leave the emergency government. Don't give up on unity."