Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (R) during a press conference. File photo
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds throughout the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival.

A previous attempt to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu.

The prime minister announced his decision late Tuesday.