Israel-Gaza updates: Gantz rejects Netanyahu's request, resigns

Centrist Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced Sunday that he was resigning from the emergency government because of what he has described as a lack of a plan from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the "day after" in Gaza.

During a televised news conference, Gantz announced he was resigning from the coalition government, taking with him his State Party and the seats it held in the Knesset. Netanyahu's coalition government will still retain a majority, but the move by Gantz is considered a major blow to the prime minister.

"Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing towards a true victory," Gantz said. "For this reason, we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart, yet wholeheartedly."

He also called on Netanyahu to set a date for elections.

Gantz was set to make the announcement on Saturday but called it off amid the news of an Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza that led to the rescue of four Israeli hostages.

Gantz is a member of Israel’s three-member war Cabinet, which includes Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

On Saturday, Netanyahu appealed to Gantz on X, saying, "This is the time for unity and not for division. We must remain united within ourselves in the face of the great tasks before us. I call on Benny Gantz -- do not leave the emergency government. Don't give up on unity."

Following Gantz's resignation, Netanyahu released a statement on X, saying, "Israel is in an existential war on several fronts."

"Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign -- this is the time to join forces," Netanyahu said. "Citizens of Israel, we will continue until victory and the achievement of all the goals of the war, primarily the release of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas."

Netanyahu added, "My door will remain open to any Zionist party that is ready to get under the stretcher and assist in bringing victory over our enemies and ensuring the safety of our citizens."

In May, Gantz issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, saying he would resign if the prime minister did not approve a post-war plan by June 8, saying at the time, "While the Israeli soldiers show supreme bravery on the front, some of the men who sent them into battle behave with cowardice and irresponsibility."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

The Hamas military wing claimed in a statement Sunday that three hostages, including an American citizen, were killed in Saturday's rescue operation in central Gaza that was carried out by the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF told ABC News on Sunday it had no knowledge of hostage deaths occurring during Saturday's raid on the Nuseirat refugee camp, in which four hostages were rescued.

In its statement, Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades accused the Israeli government of being untruthful about the circumstances of the raid.

"In exchange for them, your own army killed three of your own captives in the same attack; one of them holds an American citizenship," the Al-Qassam Brigades statement said. "Time is running out. Your government is lying."

A White House National Security Council spokesperson said Sunday they have "seen nothing to corroborate" the claims that three other hostages, including an American, were killed during the raid.

"We have seen nothing to corroborate these claims. We are of course continuing to assess the claims," the spokesperson told ABC News.

At least 274 people were killed when the Israeli military moved into the Nuseirat camp to rescue hostages, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday. Israel's military said no more than 100 civilians were killed in the operation.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaulé, Jordana Miller and Michelle Stoddart

At least 274 people were killed in central Gaza on Saturday as the Israeli military moved into the Nuseirat camp to rescue four hostages, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday.

Another 698 people were injured as Israeli forces entered the refugee camp, the ministry said.

Some of the injured were in critical condition, the ministry said.

The death toll in Gaza climbed on Saturday to 37,084 people, the ministry said. More than 84,000 others have been injured, the ministry said.

-ABC News’ Victoria Beaule and Kevin Shalvey

U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) announced Saturday that it began delivery of humanitarian assistance ashore in Gaza.

"Today, a total of approximately 492 metric tons (~1.1 million pounds) of much needed humanitarian assistance was delivered to the people of Gaza," CENTCOM said in a statement.

No U.S. personnel went ashore to Gaza, according to CENTCOM.

The agency said it has so far assisted in the delivery of more than 1,573 metric tons of humanitarian aid to organizations operating on the ground in Gaza.

-ABC News' Nathan Luna