Israeli PM Netanyahu sacks minister of military affairs Gallant

Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over the campaign of genocide in Gaza.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the premier’s decision an act of madness.

He said Netanyahu is selling out the regime’s security for his "despicable political survival."

Gallant had publicly criticized Netanyahu for the breakdown of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, prompting a sharp response from the prime minister's office.

Netanyahu is accused of blocking the Gaza ceasefire deal to advance his personal agenda.

The statement by Netanyahu’s office quoted him as saying that Gallant's decisions and public statements increasingly contradicted the regime’s collective decisions.

"Although in the first months of the campaign, there was such trust and very productive work, over the past few months that trust has eroded."

Netanyahu said this erosion of trust was not only detrimental to their working relationship but also potentially advantageous to Israel's enemies, who could exploit internal disagreements.

Israeli media had highlighted significant rifts between Netanyahu and key security officials, including Gallant, over the ceasefire, a potential prisoner exchange with Hamas, and the oversight of the Gaza-Egypt border area, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, in addition to the escalating situation along Lebanon’s border.

In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant from the cabinet following his public dissent against the regime's controversial judicial overhaul plan, sparking widespread protests that ultimately prompted Netanyahu to reconsider his stance.

The regime has been committing genocide in Gaza for the past year, killing over 43,000 and injuring more than 100,000 others.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities across the occupied territories as Israel’s opposition members called for a general strike after Netanyahu sacked Gallant.

Protesters blocked a main highway in Tel Aviv and lit large bonfires, chanting slogans against Netanyahu.