In a surprise announcement late Tuesday, the office of the Israeli prime minister said he had replaced Gallant with the foreign minister Israel Katz.
Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over the campaign of genocide in Gaza.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities across the occupied territories as Israel’s opposition members called for a general strike after Netanyahu sacked Gallant.
Protesters blocked a main highway in Tel Aviv and lit large bonfires, chanting slogans against Netanyahu
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the premier’s decision an act of madness.
He said Netanyahu is selling out the regime’s security for his "despicable political survival."
Gallant had publically criticized Netanyahu for the breakdown of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, prompting a sharp response from the prime minister's office.
Israeli media had highlighted significant rifts between Netanyahu and key security officials, including Gallant, over the ceasefire, a potential prisoner exchange with Hamas, and the oversight of the Gaza-Egypt border area, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, in addition to the escalating situation along Lebanon’s border.
Netanyahu is accused of blocking the Gaza ceasefire deal to advance his personal agenda.
The statement by Netanyahu’s office quoted him as saying that Gallant's decisions and public statements increasingly contradicted the regime’s collective decisions.
"Although in the first months of the campaign, there was such trust and very productive work, over the past few months that trust has eroded."
Netanyahu said this erosion of trust was not only detrimental to their working relationship but also potentially advantageous to Israel's enemies, who could exploit internal disagreements.
White House says Gallant was ‘important’ partner
Gallant has been an “important partner” to the US on all matters related to Israel’s security, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.
“As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israel’s next Minister of Defense,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Gallant is a prominent figure within the ruling Likud Party and had significant support among the settlers due to his policies.
Netanyahu has a long history of neutralizing his rivals. In his statement, he claimed he had made “many attempts” to bridge the gaps with Gallant.
Press TV