Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a breakdown in trust amidst continued differences over Gaza conflict strategies. Former foreign minister Israel Katz has been appointed as Gallant’s replacement, while Gideon Saar steps into Katz’s previous role as foreign minister.
Gallant, known for his firm stance on Israel’s conflicts with groups like Hezbollah, recently called for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal with Hamas in Gaza, highlighting ongoing differences with Netanyahu on Israel’s military response.
Gallant’s removal follows tensions between the two over Israel’s military operations since a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7 last year, which killed over 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s invasion of Gaza has since led to over 43,000 deaths, with many casualties reported among civilian women and children, according to the Palestine Health Ministry.
In Lebanon, further strikes were reported on Tuesday, targeting Hezbollah positions and killing at least one civilian. Hezbollah claimed to have launched rockets and drones in retaliation, escalating regional tensions. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli operations resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians, part of an ongoing Israeli invasion of Palestinian territories.
The Gaza conflict continues as a central issue in the US presidential election, with Palestinians hoping for an end to the violence.