Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, left, and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, attend a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year.Gil Cohen-Magen/AP

Israel's Netanyahu dismisses Gallant, his defense minister, in surprise announcement

Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant have repeatedly been at odds throughout the war in Gaza.

by · ABC Action News - WFTS - Tampa Bay

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds throughout the war in Gaza — but, Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival.

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A previous attempt to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu.

The prime minister announced his decision late Tuesday.