Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after months of disagreements regarding Israel’s plans for warfare and domestic politics.
In a recorded statement on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu stated that there has been a compromise in the trust between the minister of defense and me.
Israel Katz, the current foreign minister, will take on the role of the defense minister. Katz’ successor as foreign minister will be Gideon Sa’ar, the prime minister’s office announced on Tuesday. Katz has served in the cabinet throughout the war, but neither has extensive military experience.
Israel is currently fighting terrible wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and the reshuffle came at a crucial time as the nation braces for a potential Iranian retaliation strike.
Following the decision’s public announcement, Gallant took to X to respond, writing, “The security of Israel has been and will always be my lifelong mission.” He explained his firing on national television, citing disagreements over ultra-Orthodox military service, the release of hostages in Gaza, and the necessity of an official investigation into Hamas’ October 7 assault as the causes.
The collapse of Netanyahu’s vulnerable right-wing governing coalition and its tangled web of competing interests could potentially lead to the end of his leadership.
