**Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister Amid Ongoing Conflicts, Sparking Protests**

In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following extended disputes over domestic policies and Israel's military strategies. Netanyahu announced the decision in a recorded statement on Tuesday, stating that "trust between me and the minister of defense has cracked." This move has led to significant cabinet reshuffling, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz stepping into the role of defense minister and Gideon Sa'ar assuming Katz's former position. Notably, neither Katz nor Sa'ar have extensive military experience, though Katz has been part of the cabinet during the ongoing war.

This decision arrives during a delicate period for Israel, grappling with violent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and the looming threat of retaliation from Iran. Gallant, who has been in frequent communication with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, responded to his dismissal by reaffirming his commitment to Israel's security on social media and in a televised statement. He attributed his dismissal to disagreements over ultra-Orthodox military service, the handling of hostages in Gaza, and the need for a formal inquiry into Hamas' October 7 attack.

Netanyahu emphasized that attempts to reconcile differences with Gallant failed, stating that the disagreements "came to the knowledge of the enemy - our enemies enjoyed it and greatly benefited from it." Gallant's opposition to Netanyahu's policies, particularly his stance on the judiciary overhaul proposed in 2023, had rendered their relationship increasingly strained. Their discord over Israel's Gaza strategy further exacerbated tensions, with Gallant criticizing Netanyahu's goal of "absolute victory" as "nonsense" and condemning the priority given to controlling the Gaza-Egypt border over securing a ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

The dismissal has triggered an immediate and fierce backlash. Protests erupted in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Netanyahu outside his residence and blocking a major highway. Families of hostages held in Gaza voiced their outrage, accusing Netanyahu of jeopardizing their loved ones' lives for political gain.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the move as an "act of madness," accusing Netanyahu of compromising Israel's security and the welfare of its soldiers for political survival. The heated political atmosphere is further complicated by Netanyahu's concession to withdraw draft legislation that would have allowed ultra-Orthodox Israelis to receive government subsidies without mandatory military service, a contentious issue Gallant had strongly opposed.

Adding to the complexity, Israeli police have launched a criminal investigation related to events at the start of the war. Gallant's calls for an official inquiry into the October 7 attack underscore the ongoing controversies and challenges facing Netanyahu's administration. The political and security ramifications of Gallant's removal will likely reverberate as Israel navigates its internal and external crises.