"Israel ready to replace current defense minister with more hawkish Gideon Saar, as Netanyahu thumbs nose at bIDEN/hARRIS"

By Grand Rapids Anonymous
monday, september 16, 2024 at 5:51:00 p.m. edt

"(zh) there is currently widespread speculation in Israeli media that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon terminate defense minister Yoav Gallant, which would constitute a monumental reshuffle of his cabinet. the two have reportedly been clashing over war strategy, especially on what to do about the crisis in northern Israel, an area which has come under daily rocket and drone attack from lebanese hezbollah.

"the drafts of the agreement have already been drawn up … Netanyahu is preparing for Gallant’s dismissal in the near future … Galant will be fired by Netanyahu," Israeli news outlet ynet reported monday.

"Gallant is reportedly wanting to avoid immediate escalation of the war with hezbollah in the north, reportedly clashing with the army’s northern command chief Ori Gordin, who is calling for the government to approve a large-scale operation in lebanon to destroy hezbollah.

"Gallant has also been at the center of a firestorm of controversy regarding achieving a peace deal and hostage exchange swap with hummus. the defense chief is in favor of quickly securing a deal, which Netanyahu has resisted, preferring instead a military solution.

"this political divide at top has also been reflected in the unrest in the streets, where protests of hundreds of thousands have raged in tel aviv for days and weeks. they are led by families of the hostage victims, who blame Netanyahu for stalling a truce deal.

ynet's sources have said: "Gallant has already received the message that there is an intention to oust him and replace him with Gideon Saar… the prime minister is close to making this decision. it has not yet been made, but it is close."

--GRA