TEL AVIV—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to form a national unity government that includes members of the opposition and former military leaders, a move aimed at reassuring a country still reeling from the deadly attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Netanyahu agreed on Wednesday to form a government with Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity party. Gantz, a former defense minister, served as the chief of staff in a Netanyahu-led government during the previous war between Israel and Hamas in 2014.
The decision to form a new government comes after fierce criticisms of Netanyahu following the weekend’s surprise attack by Hamas, an event that represented the worst failure of Israeli intelligence in decades. It also seeks to establish some unity in the country after a period of polarization in Israeli society and politics.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition National Unity party, reached an agreement Wednesday to form a unity government. The two leaders said the new government would pursue only bills or government decisions concerning the conflict, which has prompted Israel to mass troops near the Gaza Strip and call up reservists ahead of an offensive against Hamas militants.
Hamas said Wednesday that Israeli strikes targeted the leader of its military wing, killing his brother, as Israel pledged to focus its fire on Hamas leaders. A plane carrying U.S. ammunition has landed in Israel ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In Gaza, Palestinian authorities said hospital supplies are dwindling and that the only power plant has run out of fuel and stopped operating.
