In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a \"crisis of trust.\" 🚨 Gallant is being replaced by close ally Israel Katz, who will now oversee Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
The shake-up doesn't stop there! Netanyahu also appointed Gideon Saar as the new Foreign Minister, taking over from Katz. This political shuffle comes at a tense time, with critics accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing politics over national security. 😱
Israel is currently bracing for potential Iranian retaliation after its air strikes on the Islamic Republic on October 26. 🌐
Netanyahu stated that Gallant made comments that \"contradict the decisions of the government and the decisions of the cabinet.\" In response, Gallant stood firm, saying, \"The security of the state of Israel always was and will always remain my life's mission.\" 💪🇮🇱
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, criticized the move. They claim it's part of Netanyahu's effort to block a potential hostage deal. The group highlighted that Gallant had supported a hostage-for-ceasefire exchange, emphasizing that Israel has met its objectives in Gaza. Meanwhile, Netanyahu insists on continuing the conflict until achieving \"total victory\" over Hamas. 🎯
Israel Katz, taking over as Defense Minister, has vowed to bring back all Israeli hostages from Gaza and destroy both Hamas and Hezbollah. As former Foreign Minister, Katz made headlines by banning UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering Israel, accusing him of failing to condemn an Iranian missile attack and exhibiting anti-Semitic behavior. He also rejected a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon. 🛑
However, the decision to appoint Katz has faced widespread criticism due to his limited senior military experience. Opposition leader Yair Lapid voiced his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating, \"Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness.\" 😡
Across the ocean, the White House commented on the situation. A spokesperson for the National Security Council noted that Gallant had been an important partner and expressed readiness to work with Katz moving forward. 🇺🇸🤝🇮🇱
With the Middle East already on edge, this political shake-up adds another layer of uncertainty. Will this move strengthen Israel's position, or will it lead to more instability? Stay tuned! 📺
Reference(s):
Netanyahu sacks defense minister as conflicts in Middle East grind on
cgtn.com
