Netanyahu and Israeli Opposition Form National Unity Government as Ground Invasion Nears

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz have agreed to establish an emergency government of national unity as the country reels from Hamas’ devastating surprise weekend assault and prepares for a likely ground invasion of Gaza.

A statement from Netanyahu and Gantz, chair of the National Unity coalition, says "the two agreed on the establishment of an emergency government and a war management cabinet."

A small war cabinet comprised of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Gantz, will direct the Gaza assault, the statement said.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli Defense Forces general and current member of parliament with the opposition National Unity coalition, will join Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer as an observer in the war cabinet.

The main opposition leaders, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, had earlier agreed in principle to join a unity government, but Lapid refused to join as long as the far-right Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties remained in the ruling coalition.

A position in the war cabinet has been left open for Lapid, the Times of Israel reported.

The new government exists for the prosecution of Israel's war on Hamas, reports said, and won't advance legislation or resolutions unrelated to the conflict.

Ganz formerly served as head of Israel's army and as defense minister.