The surprise move to sack Gallant – who has been hawkish on Israel’s war with Hezbollah but has also recently urged a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza – comes as elections are held in the United States, Israel’s top military backer.

Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over Israel’s retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

“Over the past few months… trust has eroded. In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defence minister,” a statement from the Netanyahu’s office said, adding that he had appointed Katz to take his place.

After his sacking, Gallant said Israel’s security would remain his life’s “mission”.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed 43,391 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to Gaza health ministry figures which the United Nations considers to be reliable.

in complement

Katz, 69, labelled by Israeli media as a “bulldozer” for his direct and sometimes abrasive style, is considered both close and loyal to Netanyahu.

After his appointment, Katz vowed to defeat Israel’s enemies and achieve the country’s war goals.

“We will work together to lead the defence establishment to victory over our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all hostages as the most important moral mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression, and the safe return of the residents of the north and south to their homes,” he said in a statement.

source : https://www.rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20241105-bulldozer-katz-long-time-ally-of-israel-s-netanyahu