Yoav Gallant, the recently ousted defence minister of Israel, once commanded respect as a former general who played a critical role in strategizing Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza. However, tensions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arose regarding the direction of the campaign, leading to Gallant’s surprising dismissal.
Known for his hardline views on Lebanon, Gallant was removed from his position on the same day as the U.S. elections, where support for Israel is a notable theme. His disagreements with Netanyahu intensified in recent months, particularly over Israel’s strategic approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In Gallant’s perspective, the military effort should pivot towards the northern border with Lebanon, where Israel aimed to counter the threats posed by Hezbollah—an Iran-aligned militant group known for inciting cross-border aggressions. Although Gallant and Netanyahu were on the same page regarding Lebanon, their visions diverged sharply when it came to Gaza. Gallant argued for a shift towards ceasing hostilities, given that it had been nearly a year since Hamas’s significant strike on October 7.
In a statement explaining his decision to dismiss Gallant, Netanyahu said, “In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defence minister,” announcing Israel Katz as his successor.
On September 18, approximately one year into the conflict in Gaza, Gallant articulated that the focus of Israel’s military strategy was “shifting north” towards Lebanon. He described this change as “the beginning of a new phase of the war, which requires courage, determination and perseverance.” Shortly thereafter, Israel’s military confirmed that ground troops commenced operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon in response to a series of assaults that had significantly weakened the group’s leadership.
Michael Horowitz, a geopolitical analyst from the Middle Eastern security consultancy Le Beck, noted, “Gallant was one of the first supporters of the idea that Israel needed to take initiative in the north just days after the October 7 attacks.” Calev Ben-Dor, a former analyst with Israel’s foreign ministry, elaborated that, in the context of warfare, addressing the more formidable opponent first is often a more prudent strategy, underscoring that Hezbollah’s strength overshadowed that of Hamas.
After a year of perpetual conflict in Gaza, many viewed Gallant, rightly or wrongly, as possessing foresight, believing in Israel’s capacity to regain control of the situation. A former naval commando and an advisor to the late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Gallant had significant military credentials. His leadership during the 2008-2009 invasion of Gaza enhanced his reputation as a “responsible” figure in political circles. Ben-Dor remarked, “He is seen as dedicated to winning the war and prioritizing national interests over petty politics,” earning him some level of respect among Israelis across the political spectrum.
However, Gallant, now 65, faces serious allegations of war crimes stemming from Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in a staggering death toll of around 43,391, majority of whom are civilians, according to statistics released by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled region. The United Nations has verified these figures as credible.
The military campaign commenced as a reaction to the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,206 individuals in Israel, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official data, including fatalities from hostage situations.
Protests erupted on the streets of Tel Aviv following Gallant’s dismissal, showcasing public discontent and the charged political landscape. Earlier this year, in May, the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, proposed charges against both Netanyahu and Gallant, encompassing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and allegations of intentionally targeting civilians—requests for arrest warrants that have not yet been fulfilled.
Despite his role as a key figure in Israel’s military efforts, Gallant frequently challenged Netanyahu over contentious issues, including controversial judicial reforms that triggered widespread protests since early 2023, as well as negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. Horowitz asserted that Gallant was often viewed as a more “unifying” leader in contrast to Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners.
During an August interview with Israeli media, Gallant reportedly dismissed Netanyahu’s call for “total victory” against Hamas as “nonsense.” After entering the political arena with the centre-right party Kulanu, Gallant joined Netanyahu’s Likud party in 2019 but remained an independent voice in many critical matters, suggesting that leadership styles may evolve amid ongoing crises and shifting political dynamics.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
