**Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Gallant, Appoints Israel Katz Amid Protests**

In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has replaced Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with Israel Katz. Announced on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated he had lost confidence in Gallant due to disagreements over the handling of Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Netanyahu emphasized that the erosion of trust has been evident over the past few months. According to his statement, the publicized differences between them have not only widened but also provided strategic advantages to Israel's enemies.

Gallant took to social media to express his continued dedication to Israel's security, despite his removal. The dismissal has sparked protests in key cities such as Haifa, Netanya, Beersheba, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. For months, the friction between Netanyahu and Gallant has been public, reflecting deeper divisions within Israel's right-wing coalition and its military over strategies in Gaza.

Netanyahu has reiterated that the fight against Hamas cannot end until it is eliminated as a governing power in Gaza. In contrast, Gallant criticized the conflict for lacking clear direction. Since October 2023, the assault on Gaza has resulted in over 43,391 deaths and more than 102,347 injuries according to Palestinian health authorities. The escalation started on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed at least 1,139 people and took about 250 captives.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had previously pushed for Gallant's removal, celebrated the decision. While Netanyahu's opponents have criticized the dismissal, some analysts believe that the move could consolidate Netanyahu's government, particularly pleasing ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties within the coalition.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of captives held in Gaza, condemned the removal as an attempt to undermine hostage negotiations. They emphasized that, with key military objectives in Gaza reportedly achieved, focus should now shift to securing a comprehensive deal for the captives' release and ending the war.

Yossi Beilin, former Israeli justice minister, suggested that Gallant's dismissal might be the beginning of Netanyahu's government's downfall, highlighting Netanyahu's overreach in governmental decisions. Previously, Gallant had also opposed Netanyahu's plans to assert Israeli control over Gaza and supported negotiating a captive deal, putting him at odds with far-right elements in the government.

Gallant's exit follows a turbulent period for the Israeli government, marked by significant public protests and disputes over judicial reforms. His recent approval of draft orders for 7,000 ultra-Orthodox men and ongoing investigations into leaks from the Israeli military concerning the Gaza war have added to the unfolding political drama.