Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant following a breakdown in trust during the ongoing war with Hamas.
In a statement released today, Netanyahu explained that “over the past few months, that trust has eroded,” leading him to make the decision to end Gallant’s tenure.
Gallant, who had only returned to the position in April after being previously sacked in March, will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu’s office confirmed.
The decision comes at a critical time, as the conflict in Gaza has escalated, and tensions within the Israeli government are high.
The news of Gallant’s dismissal sparked protests across Israel. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Tel Aviv, voicing their anger over the Prime Minister’s decision.
One protestor, the mother of an Israeli hostage, said, “Gallant’s dismissal sends a clear message — there is no one left to prevent the foiling of hostage deals. It’s time to take to the streets.”
In a social media post, Netanyahu urged unity, stating, “We must all stand strong against refusal,” in reference to internal divisions regarding the conduct of the war.
Gallant responded publicly, stating, “The security of the state of Israel always was and will always remain my life mission,” reaffirming his commitment to the country.
Netanyahu also addressed the strained relationship with Gallant, acknowledging that despite initial cooperation at the beginning of the Gaza conflict, trust had “cracked” over the months. “
I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept getting wider,” Netanyahu said. He added that the deteriorating relationship had become public and, in some cases, had benefited Israel’s enemies.
