Netanyahu Dissolves Internal War Cabinet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the internal war cabinet responsible for overseeing the country’s response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. According to an Israeli official, the decision was made after consultations with the heads of the security services and other cabinet ministers. The official stated that the war cabinet had “served its purpose” and that the government would now transition to a more compact and focused decision-making body. The war cabinet, known as the Security Cabinet, was established in May 2021 following the outbreak of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas. It included 15 ministers, including Netanyahu himself, and was responsible for making decisions on military operations, diplomatic initiatives, and humanitarian assistance. The dissolution of the war cabinet comes as Israel has been attempting to de-escalate the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. On August 21, a ceasefire brokered by Egypt and the United States went into effect, halting rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli airstrikes. However, tensions between Israel and the Palestinians remain high, and there have been sporadic incidents of violence since the ceasefire began. The dissolution of the war cabinet has raised concerns among some observers that it could signal a shift in Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict. The Israeli official who announced the decision emphasized that the government remained committed to ensuring Israel’s security and that the relevant bodies would continue to meet regularly to discuss and make decisions on security-related matters.Israeli War Cabinet Dissolved After Gantz’s DepartureIsraeli War Cabinet Dissolved After Gantz’s Departure Israeli officials announced on Monday, June 17, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the six-member war cabinet. This move was anticipated following the resignation of centrist former general Benny Gantz from the government. Netanyahu will now consult on the Gaza conflict with a smaller group of ministers, primarily Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who were previously members of the war cabinet. The dissolution of the war cabinet stems from pressure from Netanyahu’s coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who sought inclusion in the body. This request was met with opposition from international partners, including the United States. The war cabinet was formed during the national unity government established by Netanyahu and Gantz at the onset of the October war. It also included Gantz’s associate Gadi Eisenkot and Aryeh Deri of the Shas religious party as observers. Gantz and Eisenkot resigned last week, citing Netanyahu’s lack of a clear strategy for the Gaza conflict. Their departure left the war cabinet without key centrist voices, prompting Netanyahu to dissolve it altogether.An Israeli official has confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the internal war cabinet, known as the “Corona Cabinet,” tasked with coordinating the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was made after the government approved a plan to ease lockdown restrictions and reopen certain businesses and public spaces in the coming days. The official stated that the war cabinet had fulfilled its primary mission, and its responsibilities would now be transferred to relevant government ministries. The Corona Cabinet, established in March 2020, played a central role in formulating and implementing Israel’s pandemic response strategy. It comprised senior ministers, health experts, and security officials, and was responsible for decisions on lockdowns, social distancing measures, and vaccine rollouts. Its dissolution marks a shift in the government’s approach to the pandemic, emphasizing a gradual transition to a new phase characterized by a reduced focus on centralized crisis management and a greater reliance on individual responsibility.