Netanyahu dismisses Defense Minister Gallant amid escalating Middle East conflict
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday amid ongoing tension over Israel's military strategy in Gaza.
The decision follows public disagreements between Netanyahu and Gallant, particularly regarding Gallant’s recent support for a ceasefire and a potential deal for hostage release in Gaza.
Gallant, a vocal advocate for military action against Hezbollah, will be succeeded by Israel Katz, a former foreign minister, while Gideon Saar has been appointed to take over Katz's role as Israel's foreign minister.
In a statement, Netanyahu explained that “trust has eroded” over recent months, leading to Gallant’s dismissal. Despite his removal, Gallant reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security, calling it his life’s “mission.”
The decision comes as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, with devastating impacts on both sides. Since Hamas launched a major attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,206 civilians, Israel has responded with a comprehensive military campaign that has led to over 43,000 fatalities in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Israel’s military operations have also extended to Lebanon, where recent airstrikes targeted the coastal town of Jiyeh, reportedly killing one person and injuring 20 others. The Lebanese Red Cross reported that seven bodies were recovered from Tyre following intense Israeli airstrikes. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones into northern Israel and targeting Israeli forces near the Lebanon-Israel border.
In Syria, Israeli airstrikes hit Al-Qusayr, reportedly targeting Hezbollah munitions storage facilities, while surrounding residential buildings also sustained damage. Meanwhile, violence persists in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have killed seven Palestinians in recent operations, adding to the rising toll since the October 7 attack.
Amid this turmoil, many Palestinians are hopeful that the U.S. presidential election could bring an end to the ongoing violence.
