The leader of Israel's centrist National Unity party, Benny Gantz , has proposed forming a "government for the redemption of prisoners and equality of burdens," inviting Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Betyenu leader Avigdor Liberman to join the initiative. The idea calls for a six-month interim government, with the specific mandate to work on the release of hostages and legislation on the conscription of ultra-Orthodox, before returning to the polls .

" I don't want to save Netanyahu, but the hostages ," he said. "The hostages are in mortal danger, and our brothers are collapsing under this burden," Gantz said at a press conference, quoted by the Times of Israel. "I present a responsible alternative: adopt it. To my friends in the opposition, I am sure you also want the best for the country. Let's propose joining the government. If Netanyahu does not agree, then we will know we have done everything possible," he later emphasized, quoted by Ynet.

The Israeli parliamentarian has already twice joined unity governments under Netanyahu : once during the Covid-19 pandemic and again after the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, before leaving the coalition in June 2024 due to frustrations with Netanyahu's handling of the war.

(Unioneonline)