Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region. The move sparked protests across the country. Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival before taking the step as the world`s attention was focused on the US presidential election. Netanyahu cited "significant gaps" and a "crisis of trust" between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement. "In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister," Netanyahu said.

"Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister." In the early days of the war, Israel`s leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas` October 7, 2023, attack. But as the war has dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged. While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for at least a temporary diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group. Many of the families of the hostages, along with tens of thousands of people who have joined anti-government protests, accuse Netanyahu of scuttling a deal in order to maintain his hold on power. Netanyahu`s hard-line partners have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas, raising the risk of early elections at a time when the prime minister`s popularity is low. "Firing Gallant in the middle of a war is an act of madness," opposition leader Yair Lapid said on X. "Netanyahu is selling Israel`s security and the Israeli army soldiers for a disgraceful political survival."