Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced in a speech on Sunday his party's withdrawal from the emergency government formed after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
Why it matters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, which still holds a 64-member majority in the Knesset, won't fall apart but it will likely be destabilized. Gantz's exit is also likely to exacerbate the political crisis in Israel as the war in Gaza continues and as hostage and ceasefire negotiations are ongoing.
Four Israeli hostages who were held by Hamas were rescued on Saturday morning in a military operation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Shin Bet and the Israeli police counter terrorism unit, the IDF said in a statement.
Why it matters: The military operation took place as the Biden administration pushes for a deal that will secure the release of hostages and lead to a ceasefire in Gaza.
