Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet amid Gantz's exit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the six-member war cabinet following the exit of centrist former general Benny Gantz from the government, an Israeli official said Monday. Netanyahu is now expected to consult on the Gaza war with a smaller group of ministers, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

The dissolution comes amid pressure from Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who sought inclusion in the war cabinet—a move that could have strained ties with international allies like the United States.

The war cabinet was initially formed when Gantz joined Netanyahu in a national unity government at the start of the war in October. It also included Gantz's partner Gadi Eisenkot and Aryeh Deri, leader of the religious party Shas, as observers. Gantz and Eisenkot left the government last week, citing Netanyahu's failure to devise a clear strategy for the Gaza conflict.

[Information from AP]