Israeli Prime Minister suddenly fires Defense Minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant citing a “crisis of confidence” and replaced him with a close ally.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday (November 5) citing a "crisis of confidence" and replaced him with close ally Israel Katz - who previously served as Foreign Minister to lead the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Netanyahu's opponents accuse him of prioritizing politics over national security as Israel braces for possible Iranian retaliation for its air strikes on October 26.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a press conference at Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 28, 2023. Photo: Reuters

According to local officials, after Mr. Gallant was fired, protesters in Israel blocked roads and even set large fires on the streets.

New Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to rescue the remaining Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and destroy Hamas and Hezbollah. Gideon Saar was appointed by the Israeli Prime Minister as the new Foreign Minister to replace Israel Katz.

Mr Gallant and Prime Minister Netanyahu, both from the right-wing Likud party, have been at loggerheads for months over the aims of Israel's 13-month war in Gaza against the militant group Hamas.

However, the decision to fire Defense Minister Gallant was a big surprise and came as Israel's ally, the United States, was holding presidential elections. Israel's operations in Gaza and Lebanon have entered a new phase after the killing of senior commanders of both Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said Gallant had made statements that "contradicted the decisions of the government and the cabinet." In response, Gallant said: "The security of the state of Israel has always been and will always be my lifelong mission."

Previously, at the end of March 2023, Mr. Netanyahu had fired Mr. Gallant from his position as Minister of Defense. However, after massive protests against the decision, Mr. Gallant was reinstated.

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