Netanyahu Dissolves Israel's War Cabinet

An Israeli official said on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the six-member war cabinet, a move that was widely anticipated following the departure of former 'moderate general' Benny Gantz from the government. According to Reuters, Netanyahu is now expected to consult with a small group of ministers, including Yoav Gallant, the Defense Minister, and Ron Dermer, the Minister of Strategic Affairs, who were part of the war cabinet, regarding the Gaza war. The Israeli Prime Minister faced demands from nationalist-religious partners in his coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, to be included in the war cabinet, a move that could escalate tensions with international partners, including the United States. This cabinet was formed after Gantz joined Netanyahu in a 'national unity government' at the beginning of the war in October and also included Gadi Eisenkot, Gantz's partner, and Aryeh Deri, the head of the religious Shas party, as an observer. Both Gantz and Eisenkot left the government last week, citing Netanyahu's failure to devise a strategy for the Gaza war as the reason for their departure. A poll in Israel indicates that Benny Gantz's party would win if parliamentary elections were held. Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Netanyahu's emergency government, and the possibility of a rift in Israel's war cabinet is emerging, with Gantz expected to announce his party's exit from the coalition with Netanyahu's government on Saturday.