Israel: Yoav Gallant Removed, Israel Katz New Defence Minister

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant citing a “crisis of trust.” Foreign Minister Israel Katz has been appointed as the new Defence Minister. Gallant stated, “Israel’s security will always be my top priority.”

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a “crisis of trust.” This decision comes as part of appointing Foreign Minister Israel Katz as the new Defence Minister, with Gideon Saar succeeding Katz in his role. Netanyahu stated that trust between him and Gallant had eroded over the past few months, leading to the removal decision.

Following the announcement, Gallant took to X (formerly Twitter) and affirmed that the security of Israel remains the mission of his life. The conflict between Netanyahu and Gallant had intensified in recent months over Israel’s ongoing 13-month war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Netanyahu mentioned that despite attempts to reconcile their differences, the gaps widened, benefitting Israel’s enemies. Gallant had expressed concerns over the direction of the war, while Netanyahu insisted that the campaign against Hamas must continue until its military and governing capabilities in Gaza were destroyed.