Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the war cabinet that was overseeing the conflict in Gaza, a move seen as consolidating his control over military and strategic decisions. This development comes amid internal political strife and mounting public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the war against Hamas and Hezbollah.
The dissolution of the war cabinet was confirmed by Israeli officials, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter. The war cabinet was initially formed as part of an emergency coalition agreement that included moderate politician Benny Gantz and his National Unity party. Gantz's resignation a week ago, along with Gadi Eisenkot, one of the observers in the body, precipitated the cabinet's disbanding.
Netanyahu announced to his ministers that the war cabinet was no longer necessary following Gantz's departure. He stated that decision-making regarding the Gaza conflict would now involve a smaller group of ministers, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
This decision appears to be a deliberate rebuff to Netanyahu's far-right allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had been vying for a seat in the war cabinet. Reports suggest that Netanyahu plans to make key decisions with his advisers before presenting them to the broader security cabinet, effectively sidelining Ben-Gvir.
The political ramifications of dissolving the war cabinet are significant. Netanyahu's move has been interpreted as an attempt to solidify his grasp on power and manage the war efforts more tightly. This shift comes against a backdrop of divisions within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and between Netanyahu and senior military commanders.
Netanyahu's critics argue that his decision-making has been unduly influenced by ultranationalists in his government who are opposed to any cease-fire deals with Hamas. Netanyahu, however, insists that his actions are in the best interests of the country.
Despite these political maneuvers, the war cabinet had been functioning effectively, meeting numerous times since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in significant casualties and hostilities that have since escalated the conflict.
In his address to the regular Sunday cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated, "In order to reach the goal of eliminating the capabilities of Hamas, I have made decisions that were not always acceptable to the military echelon." He emphasized, "We have a country with an army and not an army with a country."
Gantz, in his resignation statement, criticized Netanyahu for making "total victory impossible" and emphasized the need to prioritize the return of hostages held by Hamas over political survival. Gantz's departure, along with that of other moderates, has left Netanyahu's government more reliant on hardline elements.
The disbanding of the war cabinet coincides with rising public discontent and calls for daily protests by anti-government groups. Netanyahu's poll numbers have shown some improvement since Gantz's departure, but the overall political climate remains tense.
The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth speculated that some key decisions would now be made by an expanded cabinet, potentially involving up to 50 participants. This could provide Netanyahu with more political cover for continuing the conflict, as more hawkish voices dominate the discussions.
The broader implications of this move are still unfolding. Netanyahu's actions indicate a strategic pivot aimed at maintaining control over Israel's military and political response to the ongoing conflict, while also managing internal coalition dynamics and public opinion.
