Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel fired Yoav Gallant, his powerful and popular defense minister, on Tuesday, after the two clashed over the course of Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Netanyahu announced his decision in a video statement published by his office, saying that “significant gaps on handling the battle” had created a wedge between him and Mr. Gallant. “In recent months, that trust between the defense minister and I was damaged,” the prime minister said.

Mr. Netanyahu named the country’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, who has minimal defense experience, to replace Mr. Gallant.

Here’s more background on the ousted defense minister.

A history of clashes

After the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 250 others, Mr. Gallant emerged as the most high-level dissident to Mr. Netanyahu within his own government.

The ousted defense minister, who was a moderate voice on security issues, had been viewed as an internal roadblock to Mr. Netanyahu’s approach to cease-fire talks. Mr. Gallant repeatedly broke with Mr. Netanyahu and urged him to reach a deal to free the remaining hostages in Gaza.

In August, the defense minister questioned the Israeli leader’s goal of “total victory” over Hamas in Gaza, calling it “nonsense.”

The defense minister also suggested that Mr. Netanyahu was letting Israel slide toward long-term military rule in Gaza — a choice that Mr. Gallant said would be disastrous.