Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to dissolve the nation’s six-member war cabinet after two key members left their positions last week, an Israeli official confirmed on Monday.
The move was widely expected in the days following the departures of rival lawmakers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, who joined the government as a show of national unity after October 7, but quit over reported disagreements concerning the Israeli government’s handling of the war in Gaza. Both former military chiefs, the men had served on the six-member body since its formation in October and were pressing for Netanyahu to outline a strategy for post-war Gaza.
The pair’s resignations left Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and politician Aryeh Deri as the only members on the war cabinet. Netanyahu first told Israeli ministers of his decision to disband the reduced body at a wider cabinet meeting on Sunday. It was largely viewed as a symbolic gesture, given Gantz and Eisenkot’s exits.
Gantz, who is Netanyahu’s chief political rival, had been threatening to resign for weeks and followed through on his resignation on June 9. Eisenkot joined Gantz in leaving the war cabinet that same day, citing Netanyahu’s “hesitation and political considerations” in making strategic decisions amid the war.
Between the departures and disbandment, right-wing leaders closely aligned with Netanyahu sought to fill the two open positions with members of their own political ideology.
Netanyahu faced pressure from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom were lobbying to join the war cabinet. Immediately following the resignation of Gantz, Netanyahu’s chief political rival, Ben-Gvir demanded on social media that he be added to the forum.
Netanyahu’s decision to disband it was reportedly made in response to Ben-Gvir’s demand, according to the Times of Israel and other Israeli news outlets.
The wider security cabinet that once oversaw the war cabinet will now approve military decisions during Israel’s war campaign against Hamas terrorists, while holding sensitive discussions in smaller consultation forums.
The move comes as Israeli citizens prepare to protest against Netanyahu’s stalled hostage negotiations this week in an attempt to force an early election ahead of the first-year anniversary of the October 7 attack. Netanyahu, who opposes protesters’ calls for an election this year, is slated to face his next election in October 2026.