Israeli centrist leader challenges Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was served an ultimatum by a member of his war cabinet. Benny Gantz, a centrist former military chief and Netanyahu rival, demands that the country’s leader come up with a plan after the war in Gaza in three weeks, or he will walk.

Gantz’s demand highlights the widening division within Israel. If he quits, Netanyahu’s coalition would collapse, prompting early elections.

The announcement marks the second such critique of Netanyahu in days, following a speech last week by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who also criticized Netanyahu for not presenting a postwar blueprint.

Gantz’s demands are six-fold, but Netanyahu said it would mean losing the war.