Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.
The move sparked protests across the country.
Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza.
But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival before taking the step as the world's attention was focused on the US presidential election.
Netanyahu cited "significant gaps" and a "crisis of trust" between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.
He added that although there was trust at the start of Israel's war with Hamas, the trust between him and Gallant has "cracked" over the last few months.
While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying military force has created the necessary conditions for at least a temporary diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X, "Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness."
Mr. Gallant's replacement, Israel Katz, currently serves as foreign minister and is a longtime Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister. Katz thanked Netanyahu and pledged to lead the security establishment to victory in the wars against Israel’s enemies.
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