Netanyahu Dismisses Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for the second time (illustrative)

(photo credit: FLASH90, REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant Tuesday night, citing a “crisis of trust” that “gradually deepened,” replacing him with Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

The move comes as Israel is braced for a direct Iranian attack and after the IDF under Gallant’s command executed a successful strike on the Islamic Republic that targeted its missile production facilities.

“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defense,” Netanyahu stated, as he laid out his rationale for Gallant’s removal while the country was over a year into a war with Iran and its proxies; chiefly Hamas and Hezbollah.

"Unfortunately, although in the first few months of the campaign, there was such trust and very fruitful work, over the last few months, this trust has cracked between myself and the Defense Minister," Netanyahu said.

Gallant wrote on X, "The security of the State of Israel was and will always remain my life's mission."

His firing will come into effect in 48 hours. The appointment of Katz and that of United Right Chairman Gideon Saar, who will replace him, requires the approval of the government and then of the Knesset.