TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the six-member war cabinet, following the recent departure of centrist former general Benny Gantz from the government, an Israeli official said on Monday.
The dissolution, which had been anticipated, marks a significant shift in the leadership structure overseeing the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu is now expected to hold consultations regarding the Gaza war with a smaller group of key ministers. This group includes Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, both of whom were part of the former war cabinet.
The dissolution comes amid pressure from nationalist-religious partners in Netanyahu’s coalition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had been demanding inclusion in the war cabinet. Such a move, however, would have likely exacerbated tensions with international partners, including the United States.
The war cabinet was initially formed in October when Gantz joined Netanyahu in a national unity government at the onset of the Gaza war. The cabinet also included Gantz’s partner, former general Gadi Eisenkot, and Aryeh Deri, head of the religious party Shas, as observers.
Gantz and Eisenkot exited the government last week, citing Netanyahu’s inability to develop a coherent strategy for the Gaza war as their primary reason for leaving. Their departure highlighted the internal disagreements and strategic disarray within the Israeli leadership regarding the conflict.
