Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a "crisis of trust", and replaced him with close ally Israel Katz to lead the country's war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Benjamin Netanyahu says there is a "crisis of trust" between him and Yoav Gallant, and replaces him with Israel Katz.

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.

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant, citing a “crisis of trust” between them.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly been at odds with Yoav Gallant over the prosecution of the war in Gaza.

Israel's sacked defence minister Yoav Gallant is a former general who shaped the war against Hamas in Gaza but fell out of favour with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the future of the campaign

In a letter he sent Gallant, Netanyahu wrote that the minister's term in office would expire within 48 hours.

Netanyahu said trust between himself and Yoav Gallant had "cracked" during the last months.

Gallant, who was a longtime rival from within the Likud Party, will be replaced by Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Minister without Portfolio Gideon Sa'ar will replace Katz, as per Times of Israel.

The two have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza, but Netanyahu avoided firing Gallant.