Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening that he was removing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant from his position and replacing him with Israel Katz, citing a "crisis of trust" that "gradually deepened".
The move is a stunning shift after the Prime Minister nearly made a similar move in September but made an about-turn.
In a terse letter released by the Prime Minister's office, Netanyahu tells Gallant that "your tenure will end 48 hours from the receipt of this letter".
"I would like to thank you for your service as Defence Minister," he concludes.
Gallant will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Minister without Portfolio Gideon Sa'ar will replace Katz as Foreign Minister.
"Unfortunately, although in the first months of the war, there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the Defence Minister," said Netanyahu in a video statement.
He said that they disagreed on the management of the war and that Gallant made decisions and statements that contract Cabinet decisions.
Netanyahu also accused Gallant of indirectly aiding Israel's enemies.
"I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept getting wider," he said.
"They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy -- our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it."
Netanyahu added that most members of the government agree with him.
The decision comes amid stress in Netanyahu's coalition over the draft of ultra-Orthodox leaders.
Gallant on Monday approved the drafting of 7,000 more Haredim into the Israeli Defense Forces IDF.
Following his firing by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in favour of Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Gallant issued a terse statement, saying that "the security of the State of Israel always was, and will always remain my life's mission".
It also comes as Americans head to the polls, and US attention is elsewhere.
Netanyahu first announced that he would fire Gallant after the latter warned in March 2023 that the government's judicial reforms were endangering national security. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in protest in what became known as "the Night of Gallant," and Netanyahu backtracked.
The relationship between the Prime Minister and Defence Minister has deteriorated since the outbreak of war on October 7.
Gallant publicly accused Netanyahu of involving political considerations in his decision-making, while Netanyahu accused Gallant of attempting to topple the government from within.
Gallant is also an obstacle to Netanyahu's attempt to obtain a haredi exemption from IDF service, and his removal may contribute to solving this problem for Netanyahu as well.
Tripura's unemployment ratio less than national average, claims CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Sunday that the state's unemployment percentage is less than the national average and the government is trying hard to further improve it.
25 people held or quizzed by police in 3 NE states for 'seditious' comments on Pahalgam terror attack
At least 25 persons were arrested or questioned by the police in three northeastern states - Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya -- for making controversial comments on social media after the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 dead, officials said on Sunday.
Four held in Tripura for social media posts relating to Pahalgam terror attack
Police arrested four people including two retired teachers in the past 24 hours from Tripura’s three districts for making controversial posts on social media relating to the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said on Saturday.
Indian Army responds firmly to ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along LoC
In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan has resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). Over the past two days, Pakistani military posts have been targeting Indian positions with small-arms fire. The Indian Army has given a strong and appropriate response to these provocations, official sources said.
US religious freedom body finds conditions for Pakistan minorities 'worsening', urges strong action
Finding "a worsening religious and political climate of fear, intolerance, and violence" for minorities in Pakistan, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has asked President Donald Trump's administration to take strong measures against the Islamic Republic.
Residences of LeT commanders, Pahalgam attack suspects demolished across Kashmir
Security forces have intensified their crackdown on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and suspects linked to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
India, Pakistan will 'get it figured out,' says Trump on border tensions
US President Donald Trump refused to be drawn into India-Pakistan border tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, stating that the two countries will "get it figured out one way or the other."
CM stresses scientific drain construction to combat flood
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today emphasized the need to construct drains in a scientific manner to quickly drain the water accumulated in the city during heavy rains.