What is Israel’s war cabinet and who is in it

Just six men will decide whether and when Israel launches a ground invasion of Rafah in the coming days.

They are members of Israel’s war cabinet, which was set up shortly after the 7 October attack by Hamas.

It was formed by Israel’s emergency unity government, the result of a power-sharing deal between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, centrist Benny Gantz.

But what exactly is the war cabinet and who is in it?

It has three voting members: Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gantz and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.

And there are three observers – Gadi Eizenkot, who served as chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces from 2015 to 2019, Ron Dermer, the Minister of Strategic Affairs and Aryeh Deri, the leader of Israel’s ultra-orthodox Shas party.

Mr Gantz, the leader of the National Unity alliance, also served as chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces from 2011 to 2015.

Operation Swords of Iron

One of the war cabinet’s first major decisions was when to begin Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza.

It approved that invasion, Operation Swords of Iron, on 27 October – 20 days after the Hamas attack.

Prior to 7 October, Mr Netanyahu had presided over the most far-right and ultranationalist government in Israel’s history.

But he bowed to political pressure and agreed to form a unity government that included opposition leaders like Mr Gantz.

That unity government insisted on the formation of the war cabinet, in part to diminish the influence of the far-right on Israel’s response to the attack.

“The Netanyahu governments have not been merit-based,” Omri Brinner, a researcher at the International Team for the Study of Security Verona, told RTÉ News.

“This war cabinet is much more merit-based.”

Mr Gantz is widely seen as the most moderate and most pragmatic of the three voting members. His military experience is also highly regarded in Israel.

Though a member of Mr Netanyahu’s party, Minister of Defense Gallant is also seen as more responsible than his prime minister. The two had previously clashed over the country’s controversial judicial reforms.

But Mr Gallant, who has ultimately directed Israel’s assault on Gaza, was accused of using genocidal language when he announced the October invasion of Gaza.

“There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed,” he said.

“We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly.”

‘I trust Gantz…I’m not certain about the rest of them’

Even then, Ehud Olmert, who served as Israeli Prime Minister between 2006 and 2009, agreed that the war cabinet is more reliable than the larger cabinet.

“The larger cabinet is made up of people who have no political background and, in most cases, you are talking about very extreme right-wing views,” Mr Olmert told RTÉ News.

“I completely trust the moral judgement and the personal balance of Benny Gantz. I’m not certain about the rest of them.”

While the war cabinet was united on the initial invasion of Gaza, reports suggest it has struggled to come to agreement about the Rafah incursion.

According to the Times of Israel, Mr Gantz has warned his colleagues against rejecting the ceasefire deal that is being negotiated with Hamas.

Mr Netanyahu has pledged to invade Rafah even if that deal is reached.

‘A tragedy beyond words’

Many observers believe the Israeli prime minister is simply focused on remaining in office.

“As long as there is a war, he will remain as prime minister and there won’t be any elections,” Mr Brinner said.

“As long as there are hostages, Mr Netanyahu has an excuse to continue the war because, when the war ends, it’s unlikely he will be reelected.”

The United Nations warned this week that an Israeli assault on Rafah was “on the immediate horizon”.

“The world has been appealing to the Israeli authorities for weeks to spare Rafah,” said Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

“The simplest truth is that a ground operation in Rafah will be nothing short of a tragedy beyond words.”

Though it will undoubtedly be influenced by the wider infighting in the Israeli government, it is the war cabinet and its three voting members that will ultimately decide whether to accept a ceasefire deal, and whether to invade Rafah.