Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired the head of the country's security service (SHABAK, Shin Bet) because he failed to foresee the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, UNN reports, citing the BBC.
Details
The Israeli cabinet met on Thursday evening to formally approve the early dismissal of Ronen Bar, who was appointed in October 2021 to a five-year term as head of Shin Bet.
Netanyahu announced his intention to fire Bar in a video statement on Sunday, citing an "ongoing distrust" between the two men that he said had "grown over time."
Bar called the decision to remove him politically motivated.
Addition
The move sparked outrage and further fueled anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem, where thousands of Israelis joined protesters against Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza.
Since Tuesday, Israel has launched an intense wave of attacks on what it says are Hamas targets in Palestinian territory, ending a fragile two-month ceasefire.
Shin Bet is Israel's domestic intelligence agency, which plays a key role in the war. Its activities and membership are a state secret.