Istanbul, 09 June 2024 (Anadolu)

Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz resigned Sunday evening from the emergency unity government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The commander of the Israeli army’s Gaza Division announced also his resignation on Sunday over his failure to protect Israeli military bases and settlements during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, according to Israeli media.

“On October 7, I failed in my lifetime mission to protect the Gaza border communities,” Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld said. “Everyone has to take responsibility for their part and I am the one in charge of the 143rd Division,” he added.

Addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, Gantz called on Netanyahu to hold early elections “as soon as possible.”

“Do not let our nation tear apart,” he said.

“Unfortunately, Netanyahu prevents us from reaching true victory,” Gantz said. “To ensure a real victory, it is appropriate that in the fall, a year after the disaster, we will go to elections that will eventually establish a government that will win the people’s trust and be able to face challenges.”

The resigned minister called on Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to resign from Netanyahu's government.

At least 37,084 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip since last October, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Sunday.

A ministry statement added that 84,494 others have also been injured in the onslaught.

"The Israeli occupation commits eight massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 283 martyrs and 814 injuries during the past 24 hours," the statement said.