Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the nation's six-member war cabinet following internal disagreements that led to the resignation of two key members.

The move to dissolve the group comes amid ongoing political pressure and public protests against Netanyahu's handling of the conflict in Gaza, as National Review reports.

Netanyahu's Decision to Disband Cabinet

Netanyahu decided to dissolve Israel's six-member war cabinet, a decision confirmed by an Israeli official on Monday.

The dissolution follows last week's resignations of Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, who joined the government in October as a show of national unity.

Resignations Spark Cabinet Shake-Up

Gantz and Eisenkot, both former military chiefs, resigned due to disagreements over the handling of the war in Gaza. They had been pressing for a post-war strategy for Gaza, a point of contention within the cabinet.

Their resignations left Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and politician Aryeh Deri as the remaining members of the war cabinet.

Symbolic Impact of Resignations

Netanyahu informed Israeli ministers of his decision to dissolve the cabinet during a wider cabinet meeting on Sunday. The move was largely symbolic, reflecting the significant impact of Gantz and Eisenkot's departure.

Gantz, who had been threatening to resign for weeks, officially resigned on June 9. Eisenkot joined him, citing Netanyahu’s hesitation and political considerations.

Right-Wing Leaders Push for Influence

In the wake of the resignations, right-wing leaders aligned with Netanyahu attempted to fill the vacant positions with their own members.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich lobbied to join the war cabinet. Ben-Gvir took to social media to demand his immediate inclusion in the forum following Gantz's resignation.

Netanyahu's Response to Political Pressure

Netanyahu’s decision to disband the cabinet was reportedly made in response to Ben-Gvir’s demands.

The wider security cabinet will now take on the responsibility of approving military decisions during Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas and will hold sensitive discussions in smaller forums.

Public Protests and Political Pressure

Protests against Netanyahu's stalled hostage negotiations are expected this week, as demonstrators aim to force an early election. These protests come ahead of the first anniversary of the October 7 attack.

Netanyahu, however, opposes calls for an early election and is currently slated to face the next election in October 2026.

Eisenkot's Criticism of Netanyahu

Gadi Eisenkot cited Netanyahu’s "hesitation and political considerations" in making strategic decisions amid the war as a reason for his resignation.

This criticism underscores the internal divisions and challenges faced by the Israeli government during the conflict.

Conclusion

The dissolution of Israel's war cabinet marks a significant moment in the country's ongoing political and military challenges. Netanyahu's decision, driven by internal disagreements and external pressures, highlights the complexities of governance amid conflict.

The shift to a wider security cabinet for military decisions reflects a new phase in Israel's strategy, while public protests continue to pressure the government for change. As Netanyahu navigates these turbulent times, the future of his leadership and the country's approach to the conflict in Gaza remain critical points of focus.

The dissolution of Israel's war cabinet by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follows the resignations of key members Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, who left due to disagreements over the handling of the Gaza conflict. This move, seen as symbolic, has shifted military decision-making to a wider security cabinet.

Right-wing leaders' attempts to fill the vacant positions and ongoing public protests against Netanyahu's leadership add to the political complexity. As Israel continues its campaign against Hamas, the government's internal and external pressures remain at the forefront of national attention.