Cairo November 5 2024: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a “crisis of trust”, and replaced him with close ally Israel Katz to lead the country’s war in Gaza and Lebanon.
Netanyahu’s critics accused him of putting politics ahead of national security at a time when Israel is bracing for Iranian retaliation to its on the Islamic Republic.
After Gallant was fired, protesters in Israel blocked highways and lit bonfires on roads, police said.
The prime minister named Gideon Saar as the new foreign minister in place of Katz.
Gallant and Netanyahu, both in the right-wing Likud party, have over the objectives of Israel’s 13-month-old war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas. But the timing of Gallant’s dismissal was a surprise, and came as Israel’s ally the U.S. held its presidential election.
Israel’s campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon have entered new phases following the killing of top commanders in both Hamas and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Netanyahu said Gallant has made statements that “contradict the decisions of the government and the decisions of the cabinet”. In response, Gallant said: “The security of the state of Israel always was and will always remain my life’s mission.”
Katz vowed the return of Israel’s hostages from Gaza and destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah.
