Israeli PM delays defence leadership reshuffle

A source from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle has revealed that the replacement of the current defence minister with Gideon Sa'ar is almost ready, but the reshuffle has been delayed.

"We are in the midst of challenging security developments," the source stated, without specifying further details, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

However, current focus is centred on Israel's northern region. US envoy to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, has arrived in the country, along with Deputy Commander of US Central Command, Brad Cooper. If Hochstein may be trying to dissuade Israel from entering a full-scale war with Lebanon, it is likely that Cooper is being shown Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) operational plans against Hezbollah. Netanyahu had initially planned to dismiss Defence Minister Yoav Gallant immediately after his US visit.

However, recent successful operations in Beirut and Tehran, followed by promises of retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah, have led the prime minister to delay the decision.

Protesters rallied to the home of Gideon Sa'ar on September 16 night after reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering firing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with Sa'ar. While the reports were denied by both Sa'ar and Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's Office stressed that a wider unity government would be a good thing for Israel. 

Gallant and Netanyahu have clashed on several points, with Israeli reports saying that the current defence minister is not in favour of opening up a new front in Lebanon before a hostage release and ceasefire deal is struck with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In 2023, the dismissal of Gallant galvanized protests against judicial reforms proposed by the Netanyahu government. Gallant's dismissal, prompted by his worry that the reforms and protests against them were harming Israel's deterrence against its enemies, was later reversed.