A member of Israel's war cabinet Benny Gantz has resigned, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government without its only central force.

"Netanyahu is preventing us from moving toward real victory (in Gaza)," Gantz said in a televised speech, adding that the decision to leave the government was "complicated and painful," according to CNN.

"That is why we are leaving the emergency government with a heavy heart, but with all our heart," said Gantz, Netanyahu's main political rival, who he previously announced would resign unless he announced a plan to war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip until June 8.

At the same time, Gantz called on Netanyahu to set a date for early elections, according to the Times of Israel.

"To ensure a real victory, it would be appropriate to hold new elections in the autumn, one year after the disaster, which could lead to the formation of a government that will have the confidence of the people and will be able to meet the challenges,” Gantz noted.

Gantz was expected to resign on Saturday, but postponed the decision after Israeli forces freed four hostages in Gaza.

Gantz's resignation came despite Netanyahu calling on him on Saturday to stay in the emergency government, saying what Israel needs now is unity, not division.

Gantz's decision does not jeopardize Netanyahu's government, as his party is not part of the prime minister's coalition, which still holds a 64-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament. Only representatives of Netanyahu's Likud remain in the War Cabinet, which was formed after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.