US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (l), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (r) in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 13, 2023|U.S. Secretary of Defense|CC BY 2.0

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant yesterday, citing that full trust between them had broken down.

Gallant recently criticized the prime minister’s Gaza war strategy and the lack of a hostage deal.

He saw Israel’s war effort in Gaza and Lebanon and has been a popular defense minister.

Gallant has pressed for an alternative to Hamas to govern Gaza after the war. 

In a statement, Gallant said his dismissal came over a dispute with Netanyahu over three issues: his request for a temporary deal in exchange for hostages, the need for an official inquiry into Hamas’s October 7 attack and more recently, the conscription notices sent by the defense ministry to ultra-Orthodox men.

Following Gallant’s dismissal, thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, blocking roads and calling for better leadership. Many demonstrators held signs demanding a focus on hostages still held in Gaza, while others criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict.

Last year, Netanyahu attempted to dismiss Gallant over his objections to a judicial overhaul but reversed his decision after public backlash.

Israel’s current foreign minister, Israel Katz, will replace Gallant’s role within 48 hours, pending legislative approval.