Defense minister sacked over rift with Netanyahu

Gallant's dismissal an attempt to deflect blame for failure in Gaza, analysts say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of his defense minister Yoav Gallant underscores long-standing concerns about the viability of the ground offensive in Gaza and appears to be a strategy to deflect blame, analysts said.

Netanyahu made the bombshell announcement in a video posted on X on Tuesday. He confirmed he had dismissed Gallant, citing a "crisis of trust" and their differences over security matters.

"Over the past few months, the trust between the Defense Minister and me has eroded," Netanyahu said in the video statement, reported by Xinhua News Agency.