JERUSALEM – Thousands of Israelis protested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of the defense minister, demanding that the government do everything it can to bring back hostages held in Gaza.

The demonstration broke out immediately after Netanyahu’s office made the statement. Dismissal of Mr. Yoav Gallant Following public disagreements over the war with Hamas on 5 November.

The dismissal of Mr. Gallant, who has been a hawk on the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon and has also pushed for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, coincided with presidential elections in the United States, Israel’s biggest military backer.

Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant have clashed frequently over Israel’s retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following a deadly attack by the Palestinian militant group. Attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

“In the last few months… trust has eroded. “In light of this, I have decided today to end the term of office of the defense minister,” he said. He would be replaced by Israel Katz.

Mr. Gideon Saar, a minister without a portfolio, was appointed foreign minister to replace Mr. Katz.

Soon after, thousands of people took to the streets of the commercial hub of Tel Aviv, chanting slogans against Netanyahu and demanding the return of 97 hostages held in Gaza.

Protesters blocked traffic and lit fires; some shouted, referring to the hostages, “Bring them home now!” He wore t-shirts that said:

“We deserve better leaders” and “We leave no one behind!” They carried banners with slogans such as, and one protester wore a face mask and handcuffs resembling Netanyahu.

‘Victory over our enemies’

The timing of the change comes at a critical juncture in the Gaza and Lebanon wars, when both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been greatly weakened.

Professor Jonathan Rynhold of Bar-Ilan University’s Department of Political Studies said Netanyahu was “encouraged by his improvement in the polls.”

“It also benefits from the fact that the US elections are being held today… Everyone’s focus is elsewhere,” he told AFP.

Upon his appointment, Mr. Katz vowed to “victory our enemies and achieve the objectives of the war,” including “destroying Hamas in Gaza, defeating Hezbollah in Lebanon” and returning hostages.

After he was fired, Mr. Gallant shared on X that Israel’s security would remain his life’s mission.

He called on the government to bring home the Gaza hostages “while they are still alive” and insisted: All Israelis of military age must serve in the army — a key issue on which he and Mr. Netanyahu disagree.

The sacked minister was a leading advocate of calling ultra-Orthodox Jews into office, but Netanyahu wanted the exemptions to remain because he feared their conscription could break up his far-right coalition government.