Netanyahu set to fire war minister Gallant amid dispute over Gaza failure

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to fire Yoav Gallant, the regime's military affairs minister as significant disagreements deepen over the Gaza war amid intense pressure from far-right coalition partners opposing his push for a large-scale military campaign. 

Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing informed sources on Monday, reported that negotiations are in progress between Netanyahu's office and Gideon Sa'ar, leader of the right-wing New Hope party, regarding the potential replacement of Gallant, who has been at odds with Netanyahu.

It reported that an announcement might be imminent, while Channel 13 indicated that Netanyahu's wife, Sara, a pivotal player in the situation, remained indecisive and unconvinced about the advantages of replacing a troublesome minister with one deemed disloyal.

Following the report, far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on X platform that he had been demanding Gallant’s ouster for months “and the time has come to do so immediately.”

"We must resolve the situation in the north and Gallant is not the right man to lead this," Ben Gvir had formerly said, referring to a possible escalation with Hezbollah.

However, Netanyahu's office has refuted claims of negotiations with Sa'ar, while a spokesperson for the former ally turned rival stated that there is "nothing new" regarding the matter.

Sa'ar, an outspoken critic of Netanyahu's handling of the war, is presently serving as a member of the opposition.

This is while hundreds of Israeli settlers protested in Tel Aviv on Monday night and many others gathered outside Sa’ar's residence to voice their opposition to the dismissal of Gallant from the cabinet, sparking fears of a political coalition forming against Netanyahu, potentially led by Gallant himself.

In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant from the cabinet following his public dissent against the regime's controversial judicial overhaul plan, sparking widespread protests that ultimately prompted Netanyahu to reconsider his stance.

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Recent reports from Israeli media highlight significant rifts between Netanyahu and key security officials, including Gallant, over a ceasefire in Gaza, a potential prisoner exchange with Hamas, and the oversight of the Gaza-Egypt border area, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, in addition to the escalating situation along the southern Lebanon border.

Tensions have escalated in recent days as Gallant recently criticized Netanyahu publicly for the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement, prompting a sharp response from the Israeli prime minister's office.

Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz has also accused Netanyahu of contemptible political plans rather than focusing on victory over Hamas. 

"Instead of the prime minister being busy with victory over Hamas, returning the hostages, with the war against Hezbollah and allowing (evacuated) residents of the north to return to their homes, he is busy with despicable political dealings" and replacing the minister of military affairs, Gantz wrote on social media.

Families of the captives held in Gaza and Israeli settlers blame Netanyahu for the failure to secure a deal, saying he is prolonging the war in Gaza to maintain in power.

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