Netanyahu dismisses National Security Council chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi over his opposition to the attack on Qatar and the occupation of Gaza City.

“The Prime Minister thanks Tzachi Hanegbi for his service as head of the National Security Council over the past three years,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

He added, “The Prime Minister intends to appoint Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, Gil Reich, as acting chairman of the council immediately,” without providing details on the reasons and circumstances of the dismissal.

However, the official Israeli Broadcasting Authority clarified that Hengbi was dismissed by Netanyahu due to his opposition to the attack on Qatar and Operation Gideon 2, to occupy Gaza City.

On September 3, the Israeli military announced the launch of Operation Gideon 2, a full-scale occupation of Gaza City.

This operation sparked criticism and protests in Israel, fearing for the lives of prisoners and soldiers.

A ceasefire was set to take effect on October 10, as part of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war and exchange prisoners.

On September 9, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on Hamas’s headquarters in Doha.

Qatar condemned the attack, affirming its right to respond to the aggression.

The attack on Qatar came despite its mediation role, alongside Egypt and with US participation, in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel to reach a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.

For his part, Hanegbi, who assumed his position in January 2023, issued a statement, published by the Israeli media, in which he said: “The Prime Minister informed me today of his intention to appoint a new National Security Advisor”.

He added, “In light of this, my term as National Security Advisor and Chairman of the National Security Council ends today… I’ll, of course, be at the disposal of my successor if requested to do so”.

Hanegbi called for an investigation into the events of October 7, 2023, as he said: “The major failure of October 7, in which I was complicit, must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that appropriate lessons are learned and to help restore lost trust”.

Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi announced Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dismissed him from his position, a decision effective immediately.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me today of his intention to appoint a new national security adviser,” Hanegbi said in a statement.

“The horrific failure of October 7, of which I was a part, must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that the necessary lessons are learned to help restore shaken confidence,” he added.