Gantz Says Netanyahu Bears October 7 Responsibility and He Will Stay in Race

Benny Gantz said he would remain in the election race despite acknowledging that he will not become prime minister. He argued that he could help bridge Israel's political camps in a broad Zionist unity government and said the country's major problems cannot be addressed without one. Gantz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be replaced, bears responsibility for the October 7 attack and has divided Israeli society. He also defended Israel's operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran as efforts to prevent hostile forces from rebuilding capabilities, saying the Gaza campaign is intended to secure Israel's future and defeat Hamas rather than serve as revenge.