Netanyahu Disbands Israeli War Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded the country’s war cabinet, an Israeli official has told CNN, just over a week after opposition leader Benny Gantz withdrew from the body, Eugenia Yosef and Elliott Gotkine reported for CNN.

Along with Netanyahu and Gantz, the cabinet comprised current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Netanyahu confidant Ron Dermer and former general Gadi Eisenkot as “observers.” I Photo: Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו Facebook 

“The security cabinet will continue to decide on matters regarding the war,” the official said, claiming Netanyahu “will hold smaller forums on sensitive matters.”

It was unclear who specifically Netanyahu would be consulting with for matters regarding the war in Gaza. Gantz announced his resignation from the body last week, citing Netanyahu’s failure to devise a strategy for the war in Gaza and the future governance of the Strip.

Netanyahu has faced growing calls from the far-right members of his coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, to join the war cabinet.

The war cabinet was formed five days after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of October 7, when former Defense Minister and IDF chief of staff Gantz agreed to join an “emergency government.”

Along with Netanyahu and Gantz, the cabinet comprised current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Netanyahu confidant Ron Dermer and former general Gadi Eisenkot as “observers.” Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were excluded at Gantz’s behest.