Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could soon fire the country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, though his office has denied recent reports.
Netanyahu’s office is reportedly in talks with United Right Chairman Gideon Sa’ar to replace the defense minister, but his office has said the reports “are incorrect,” though the comments did not acknowledge the possibility of Gallant’s dismissal, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Netanyahu and Gallant have disagreed over various parts of Israel’s post-Oct. 7 military strategy both in Gaza as well as Israel’s national security threats from its northern border with Lebanon. More nationalist lawmakers, who support Netanyahu, have called for Gallant to be removed from his position, while more centrist lawmakers have accused Netanyahu of pushing for an unnecessary political maneuver.
“For months, I have been calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to fire Gallant, and the time has come to do so immediately,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said. “A decision must be made in the north, and Gallant is not the right man to lead it.”
Comparatively, Benny Gantz, who was previously a member of the wartime Cabinet, said: “Instead of the prime minister of Israel dealing with victory over Hamas, the return of the hostages, the war with Hezbollah, and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes, [Netanyahu] is busy with contemptible political plans and the replacement of the defense minister ahead of a massive campaign in the north.”
“This reflects poor judgment and distorted priorities,” he added.
Netanyahu is facing tumultuous domestic political pressure. The situation was tense even before Hamas launched the largest terrorist attack in the country’s history almost a year ago on Oct. 7.
He is also facing an increasingly frustrated Israeli public that wants the government to get a deal finalized to secure the release of the roughly 100 people who remain hostages and have now been held for more than 11 months. Israel and Hamas had a weeklong ceasefire back in late November when more than 100 hostages were released, but they have been unable to agree to a second proposal.
Netanyahu has held firm against a deal that he said would jeopardize the country’s long-term national security.
Israel and Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed terrorist group that is based in Lebanon, have engaged in limited cross-border rocket and missile fires dating back to mid-October. Since then, there have been concerns that Israel and Hezbollah could expand Israel’s war in Gaza into a regional conflict. Hezbollah and Hamas both have Iran’s backing, and Tehran supports several other entities in the region that seek the destruction of Israel.
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An Israeli-Hezbollah conflict would inflict significant damage and casualties on both sides, experts believe, given Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal and inventory. Israeli leaders have debated whether another war, this one in the north, would benefit them.