Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu disbands the war council.
Following the departure of Minister Benny Gantz from the Israeli emergency government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to disband the Security Cabinet. A representative for the Prime Minister confirmed recent media speculation about the committee's dissolution, which was established after the Hamas terror attack on October 7. According to insider information, key decisions about ongoing conflicts will be made in smaller groups instead, under Netanyahu's leadership in the future.
The Security Cabinet played a crucial role in setting strategic directives for the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and against the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah. After the Hamas attack, opposition politician Gantz joined the three-member Security Cabinet to show unity.
However, a week ago, the former general and Defense Minister announced his resignation due to disagreements over the Gaza War. He denounced Netanyahu for exhibiting "cowardice and political calculations" and criticized the government for failing to create a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip.
Gantz's resignation was followed by that of Gadi Eisenkot. Though Eisenkot was not a voting member, his departure was anticipated, as it set the stage for the Security Cabinet's eventual dissolution. The committee had acted as a check on Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners. After Gantz's resignation, far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for his inclusion in the Security Cabinet.
On October 7, Hamas and other Palestinian extremists launched attacks from the Gaza Strip on Southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1200 fatalities and over 250 hostage-takings. Over the course of the ensuing war, unverified reports from Hamas-controlled health authorities claimed that more than 37,000 Palestinians had died.
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The dissolution of the Security Cabinet, which played a significant role in strategizing for conflicts in the Gaza Strip, was initiated by Prime Minister Netanyahu after Minister Gantz's resignation due to disagreements over the Gaza War. Despite disagreements, Netanyahu will continue making key decisions about ongoing conflicts within smaller groups, as a replacement for the War Cabinet, which had previously served as a check on his coalition partners.
