Israel faces protests after Netanyahu sacks defense minister Gallant

Protests have broken out across Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Many protesters on the streets were calling for Netanyahu to resign, and demanding the new defence minister prioritise a hostage deal, News.Az reports, citing BBC.

Netanyahu said a "crisis of trust" between the two leaders led to his decision, adding that his trust in Gallant had "eroded" in recent months and Foreign Minister Israel Katz would step in to replace him.

Gallant said his removal was due to disagreement on three issues, including his belief that it is possible to get the remaining hostages back from Gaza if Israel makes "painful concessions" which it "can bear".

Netanyahu and Gallant have long had a divisive working relationship. During the past year, there have been reports of shouting matches between the two men over Israel’s war strategy.

The former defence minister has also been unhappy at plans to continue to allow Israel’s Ultra Orthodox citizens to be exempt from serving in the military.

Months before the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Netanyahu had fired Gallant over political differences, before reinstating him following major public outcry.

News.Az