Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a breakdown in trust amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The two had disagreed over Israel’s military response to the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu stated that full trust between the Prime Minister and Defence Minister is essential during wartime, but that trust had eroded in recent months. As a result, Netanyahu appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz as the new Defence Minister, noting Katz’s proven abilities in national security.
Gallant, in response to his dismissal, expressed on social media that Israel’s security would always remain his life’s mission. Netanyahu further explained that their differences had become public and were even exploited by Israel’s enemies, undermining the effectiveness of the campaign.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with the October 7 attack, has resulted in significant casualties. According to official Israeli figures, over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack. In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive has led to at least 43,391 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry, with figures accepted by the UN.
