Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gertz Halevi, and the head of the Shabak counterintelligence service Ronen Bar. UNN reports this with reference to The Times of Israel.
Details
Walla News reporter Tal Shalev spoke about possible personnel decisions, citing sources among Prime Minister Netanyahu's close associates, in the main evening news program of the public broadcaster Kan.
Shalev noted that the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galant is "not a matter of if, but when.
According to her, Netanyahu wanted to release Gallant when he returned from the United States, but the planned release was delayed by the deadly Hezbollah attack on Majdal Shams and the assassination this week of a Hamas leader and the leader of Hezbollah's military wing.
Армія оборони Ізраїлю заявила про ліквідацію глави військового крила ХАМАС в Газі01.08.24, 12:30
Shalev added that there are sources in Netanyahu's inner circle who say that after replacing Galant, the prime minister plans to fire IDF Chief of Staff Gertzi Halevi and Shin Bet (Shabak) chief Ronen Bar.
According to her, the purpose of their release would be to eliminate the opposition to his negotiations for the return of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. Netanyahu, according to Shalev, wants to replace them with officials who will depend on him and carry out his instructions.
Opposition New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar has been mentioned as a potential candidate for defense minister, but Shalev says that some Netanyahu associates have reservations about Sa'ar, a former Likud party member. She also says there is talk of a possible general cabinet reshuffle to give the impression that the prime minister is not simply firing Galant.
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