Lapid says Netanyahu should dissolve government, not war cabinet

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should dissolve the Israeli government,  following the leader's decision to disband the war cabinet after the resignation of key opposition figure Benny Gantz.

Lapid applauded Gantz's decision as "important and correct".

"The time has come to replace this extreme and reckless government with a sane government that will lead to the return of security to the citizens of Israel, to the return of the abducted, to the restoration of Israel's economy and international status," he added.

Lapid, who has emerged as a key figure in the antigovernment protests, has urged the government to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas and repeatedly called for Netanyahu's resignation.