ALBAWABA - Yedioth Ahronoth claimed that opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz are discussing forming a temporary administration to negotiate a prisoner swap agreement with Gaza and stop the northern crisis. Instead of a coalition, the six-month administration would concentrate on certain goals.
After the government failed to achieve a prisoner swap, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel sought direct discussions with the Shas party. This effort is not meant to form a "National Unity" or "Emergency" government, but a temporary administration that must negotiate with Hamas to free detainees, cease the conflict, and hold consensus-based elections.
Al Jazeera said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aware of his coalition's political issues, which may hinder him from reaching an accord. This has increased pressure to build a coalition that prioritizes prisoner release and hostilities stopping.
A recent Maariv survey found that 56% of Israelis prefer a national unity government to retrieve Gaza inmates and schedule fresh parliamentary elections. However, 22% opposed it and 22% were uncertain.
The same survey found that Netanyahu's Likud would win 24 Knesset seats if elections were conducted today. This reflects the right-wing party's highest anticipated seat total since the Gaza conflict started on October 7, 2023.
Since the conflict, Israelis have protested demanding government resignation and early elections. Protesters want a unity government to discuss a prisoner swap with Gazan resistance forces.
