Israel�s governing coalition is exploring the possibility of bringing Benny Gantz�s centrist Blue and White party into the government if far-right factions abandon ship over a deal to end the Gaza war, Army Radio reported Sunday.

The potential pivot comes as Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir and Religious Zionism chief Betzalel Smotrich rage against a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that would secure the release of Israeli hostages but effectively end the fighting in Gaza. According to reports, Ben Gvir is actively seeking Smotrich�s cooperation to block the deal, although Smotrich�s office denies agreeing to any such meeting.

Fearing a far-right walkout, Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri is reportedly leading quiet contacts with Gantz to shore up coalition stability. The goal: a unity framework that could also address the thorny issue of drafting Charedi men into the military. Both Deri�s office and Blue and White denied the contacts, with Gantz�s party insisting, �We are not aware of such an appeal. As we have said before, we will provide a safety net for the return of the hostages and for appropriate political moves from the outside.�

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and Gantz have both pledged to support the hostage deal from the opposition benches, vowing not to let far-right hardliners sabotage the agreement.

Gantz, who built his political brand as a centrist alternative to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has left the door open to rejoining the government if national priorities demand it � setting the stage for a potential political earthquake should the far right choose to bolt.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)