“Netanyahu, this is not a time to hesitate - this is a time for making the right decisions for the people of Israel and Israel's security.”
But there is expected opposition to the deal from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition members.
Gantz’s decision to join the government could counter opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who both oppose a ceasefire and support a decision to conquer Gaza City.
Ben Gvir pulled out of the government when Israel agreed to a ceasefire in January and only returned to government when it resumed fighting.
Smotrich told hostage relatives that he would resign if Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire, according to Channel 12.
Speaking on Israeli radio on Wednesday, Blue and White MK Alon Schuster said: “Currently, there are no talks about joining the government, but if we understand that this is what will lead to the release of hostages, then that's what we will do,” Schuster said. “What do they expect? That we let the hostages die?"
Gantz’s centrist party joined Netanyahu’s right-wing government after the Hamas-led October 2023 attack, forming part of an emergency war cabinet. However, the party exited the coalition last year in June 2024 over disagreements about plans for the Gaza Strip after the war.
The Blue and White party has neither confirmed nor denied the story. In a post on X on Thursday featuring an image of Netanyahu and Gatz, the party said: "An idiot, and not really useful - is someone who hates Bibi more than they want to bring back the hostages.”
