In a surprise decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a “crisis of trust” that he said had developed amid ongoing tensions with Hamas in Gaza and escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
Netanyahu named Foreign Minister Israel Katz to replace Gallant, explaining that, though they had initially worked well together, their trust had “eroded” in recent months. “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister,” Netanyahu stated, underscoring the importance of cohesion within Israel’s leadership team.
Gallant and Netanyahu have frequently clashed over the approach to the war with Hamas, which has now entered its second year. While Netanyahu has consistently advocated for intensified military actions, Gallant had argued that military pressure created an opening for diplomacy, which could potentially lead to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Despite their differences, Netanyahu had refrained from dismissing Gallant until now.
Gideon Saar, a former rival of Netanyahu who recently returned to the government, will take over Katz’s previous position as Foreign Minister. Gallant responded to his dismissal by expressing his enduring commitment to Israel’s security, saying, “The security of the State of Israel always was, and will always remain, my life’s mission.”
This move also comes against a backdrop of other disagreements, including Gallant’s vocal opposition to Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms. Earlier this year, Netanyahu’s attempt to dismiss Gallant sparked major protests, with demonstrators criticizing the Prime Minister’s response to Hamas’s October 7 attack and his management of the ongoing hostage crisis.
Gallant, a former naval commando and senior IDF officer, has been a prominent figure in Israeli security and a significant voice in the government’s strategic discussions, making his departure a key shakeup in Israel’s defense leadership.
