Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, amid escalating tensions regarding the management of the war in Gaza.
In a video announcement on Tuesday, Mr. Netanyahu revealed that Mr. Gallant, who has held the position since 2022, disagreed with his approach to the conflict, resulting in “significant gaps” between their perspectives.
Consequently, the prime minister felt their relationship lacked the “complete trust” essential for effective military leadership.
Israel Katz, the current foreign minister, has been appointed as Mr. Gallant’s successor in the defence role, while Gideon Sa’ar will take over as foreign minister.
Mr. Gallant, a prominent member of Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party, had increasingly vocalized his opposition to the prime minister, particularly regarding military strategies in Gaza.
Known for his more moderate stance, Mr. Gallant criticized Mr. Netanyahu’s pursuit of total victory over Hamas, deeming it unrealistic.
His dissent also encompassed broader governmental policies, including contentious judicial reforms and proposals concerning Gaza’s future.
According to the New York Times, the centrist Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that during a meeting with the Knesset’s foreign affairs and defence committee on Monday, Mr. Gallant dismissed the prime minister’s slogan of “total victory” as “nonsense.”
In response, the prime minister’s office condemned Mr. Gallant’s remarks, asserting that by questioning Israel’s strategy, he was undermining efforts to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas.
“When Gallant adopts an anti-Israel narrative, he jeopardizes the chances of securing a hostage release deal,” the statement said.
The office reiterated that Israel’s sole objective is to achieve “total victory,” defined as the eradication of Hamas’s military and governance structures and the safe return of hostages.
