On Monday, the Israeli officials declared the dissolution of Israel’s war cabinet by Netanhayu. The war Cabinet had been functional since October 11, 2023. A ‘kitchen cabinet’ will now replace the former war cabinet.
🗞️ The National’s Tuesday front page: Under-pressure Netanyahu dissolves Gaza war cabinet
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Netanhayu will next hold consultations about the Gaza War with a small group of ministers, including Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer who were once a part of the war cabinet.
When Benny Gantz and observer Eisenkot exited the war Cabinet on June 9 due lack of a follow up plan related to Gaza beyond the current assault, Netanhayu declared “there is no more war cabinet…the moment Gantz left, there is no such forum anymore.”
Considering Gantz departure as an opportunity, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich increased pressure to join the inner war cabinet. The two, ultra orthodox right-wing politicians, posed a serious threat to Netanhayu’s attempt to soften the Gaza war. It was on their threats of resignation that Netanhayu was forced to launch the airstrike on Rafah city and not lend full support to the US proposed ceasefire deal.
Netanhayu’s war cabinet
The Israeli War cabinet was established 4 days after Israel declared war on Hamas following a strike from the latter. It was a smaller body inside the security cabinet, comprising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his principal rival, former general Benny Gantz, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three observers: government ministers Aryeh Deri and Gadi Eisenkot, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
The purpose of this cabinet was to make quick decisions on the next steps to be taken in the context of war, which would later be sent to be approved by the wider cabinet.
However, situations inside the war cabinet were always tense as members aggressively disputed over their next move. An Israeli newspaper revealed that Gallant and Netanyahu “were no longer speaking to one another” and war cabinet meetings had become “a shameful arena for settling scores, fighting and discussions that lead nowhere”.
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What does this mean for the fate of war-struck Gaza ?
The war cabinet technically ceased to function with Gantz departure, so even when Netanhayu has officially disbanded the cabinet, it does not really hurt the administration over the Gaza crisis.
Infact, sources reveal that Netanhayu has planned to set up a three member ‘kitchen cabinet’ that will replace the former war cabinet. The new body will include Gallant, Dermer, and National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi while blocking Smotrich and Ben-Gvir’s attempts to join the body.
