Protests broke out in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired the country's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Netanyahu said a “critical situation of trust” between the leaders led to his decision, adding that his trust in Gallant had “diminished” in recent months and that Foreign Minister Israel Katz would replace him.
Gallant said his removal was due to disagreements on three issues, including his belief that it would be possible to return the remaining hostages from Gaza if Israel made a “painful concession” that it could not “tolerate”.
Many of the protesters in the streets wanted Netanyahu to resign, and they wanted the new defense minister to prioritize the hostage deal.
Netanyahu and Gallant have long had a divisive working relationship. During the past year, there have been reports of conflict between the two men over Israel's military strategy.
The former defense minister was also unhappy with plans to continue allowing ultra-Orthodox Israeli citizens freedom from military service.
Months before the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant over political disagreements, before reinstating him following a public outcry.
But on Tuesday Netanyahu said: “In the middle of a war, more than ever, there is a need for complete trust between the prime minister and the defense minister”.
He said that although there was trust and “fruitful work” in the first months of the war, “in the last months this trust broke down”.
Netanyahu added that “big gaps were found between me and Gallant in the management of the campaign”.
These are “accompanied by statements and actions against the government's decisions,” he added.
After the news, Gallant posted on social media that “the security of the state of Israel has been the purpose of my life and will always be my life”.
He later issued a full statement on Tuesday night saying his removal was “a result of a disagreement on three points”.
He believes there should be no exceptions to military service, that a national investigation is needed to learn lessons, and that hostages should be returned as soon as possible.
Speaking about the hostages, he said: “I decide that it is possible to achieve this goal. It requires a painful concession, which the state of Israel and the IDF cannot bear.”
One of those protesting following the announcement, Yair Amit, said Netanyahu was putting the whole country at risk and asked the prime minister to “step down and let people who are willing to lead Israel”.
Some protesters set fires on the Ayalon Highway and blocked traffic in both directions, according to Israeli media.
A group representing the families of people kidnapped by Hamas in its October 7 attack also criticized Netanyahu's dismissal of Gallant, calling it a continuation of efforts to “torpedo” the release agreement.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on the incoming defense minister to “express a clear commitment to the end of the war and make a comprehensive agreement for the immediate return of all hostages”.
About 100 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023 remain unaccounted for more than a year into the war.
His replacement Katz is seen as extremely hawkish in terms of military strategy.
Another Netanyahu supporter, Gideon Sa'ar – previously without a cabinet position – will be the new foreign minister.
Gallant's removal will take effect in 48 hours. The appointment of new ministers requires the approval of the government and then the Knesset.
Netanyahu first fired Gallant in March 2023 following disagreements over controversial plans to overhaul the justice system.
But he was forced to rescind his dismissal following massive public protests in several cities in Israel – an event known as the “Night of Glory.”
In May this year, Gallant expressed his apparent frustration with the government's failure to address the question of a post-war Gaza plan. Gallant wanted Netanyahu to publicly announce that Israel has no plans to take a military and military regime in Gaza.
It was a rare public sign of a split within Israel's war cabinet over a military campaign.
“Since October, I have been constantly raising this issue with the cabinet,” said Gallant, “and I have not received an answer”.
Netanyahu responded that he is “not ready to exchange Hamas and Fatahstan,” referring to the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.
In response to Gallant's removal on Tuesday night, members of the Israeli opposition called for public demonstrations.
Gallant's dismissal also happened on the day of the presidential election in the US – a key supporter of Israel in its war in Gaza – a moment noted by many Israeli media outlets.
Gallant was considered to have a better relationship with the White House than Netanyahu.
A White House National Security Council representative said on Tuesday: “Minister Gallant has been a valuable partner on all matters related to Israel's defense. As close allies, we will continue to work closely with Israel's next defense minister.”
Observers note that Gallant's removal also comes at a time when Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right politicians to pass a bill that would continue to allow ultra-Orthodox Israeli citizens freedom from military service. Gallant had been opposed to the bill.
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