Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded the influential war cabinet overseeing the conflict in Gaza, as confirmed by Israeli officials on Monday. The move came in response to opposition MP Benny Gantz's departure from the government, following his initial involvement in the war efforts. Former members of the War Cabinet included Gantz, Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yav Galant, who collaborated on key decisions throughout the conflict.
It is reported that Netanyahu intends to establish a smaller cabinet dedicated to handling sensitive matters, consisting of select members from the previous cabinet, according to an undisclosed official. Gantz, a historical rival of Netanyahu, entered the government after Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7.
He advocated for a reduced cabinet size to diminish the influence of far-right figures within Netanyahu's administration. Subsequently, Netanyahu opted to step down from his position earlier this month, citing shortcomings in his war leadership.
Critics argue that Netanyahu's decision-making during the conflict was swayed by ultra-nationalist factions within his government, potentially leading to a ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases. Some suggest his support for evacuating Palestinian civilians from Gaza and reclaiming the territory. Netanyahu, however, refuted these allegations, emphasizing his commitment to the country's best interests.
