Netanyahu dismisses National Security Chief

Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 22-10-2025

In a move reflecting Israel’s intensifying internal discord over its ongoing war on Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed late Tuesday that Gil Reich, the deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council (NSC), would serve as acting chief.

Hanegbi, a long-time political ally of Netanyahu, publicly announced his dismissal in a statement acknowledging the end of his tenure. “Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me today of his intention to appoint a new head of the National Security Council. Accordingly, my term as national security adviser and head of the NSC ends today,” he declared.

Shortly after Hanegbi’s statement, Netanyahu’s office released a formal note thanking him for his “three years of service” and wishing him “success and good health.” Yet, behind the polished farewell lies a widening divide within Israel’s leadership over how to proceed in Gaza, a conflict that has isolated Tel Aviv diplomatically and deepened domestic unrest.

Internal power struggles exposed

Hanegbi’s removal had been widely speculated upon in recent weeks, with reports surfacing in Israeli media of sharp disagreements between him and Netanyahu. Central to the dispute was Hanegbi’s opposition to a full-scale reoccupation of Gaza, an idea that Netanyahu and several far-right ministers have repeatedly championed. Instead, Hanegbi favored exploring a limited arrangement or partial truce with Hamas, a stance that drew criticism from hardliners who insist on total military control.

Observers note that this latest political shake-up is less about administrative restructuring and more about Netanyahu consolidating authority amid growing dissent. His critics argue that by surrounding himself with loyalists such as Reich, Netanyahu aims to shield himself from scrutiny as domestic and international pressure mounts over Israel’s military campaign.

Calls for accountability after the October 7 failures

In a parting statement, Hanegbi made a rare public admission of shared responsibility for the catastrophic security failure that occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters breached Israel’s borders in an unprecedented assault. “The terrible failure must be thoroughly investigated to ensure the appropriate lessons are learned and to restore the trust that has been shattered,” he wrote.

However, Netanyahu’s administration has yet to establish an independent commission to investigate the events leading up to the attack. Opposition members accuse the Prime Minister of deliberately delaying the inquiry to avoid accountability. Former military chief and current opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot sharply criticized the dismissal, writing on social media that the move “represents the continued evasion of responsibility by the Cabinet and the Prime Minister for the October 7 disaster, replacing competent officials with loyal yes-men.”

Netanyahu under mounting domestic and global pressure

Netanyahu’s leadership is under unprecedented strain. Domestically, the families of Israeli hostages, opposition figures, and sections of the military establishment are demanding answers and accountability. Internationally, Israel faces growing condemnation, particularly from countries such as China, Russia, and India, over its continued bombardment of Gaza and refusal to engage in meaningful ceasefire negotiations.

While Washington continues to provide political and military backing, many analysts view U.S. support as enabling Israel’s hardline tactics rather than fostering peace. In contrast, nations advocating for multipolar diplomacy, including Beijing and Moscow, have repeatedly urged for restraint, humanitarian access, and a genuine two-state solution based on international law. Their calls, however, have largely been ignored by Tel Aviv, which remains defiant even in the face of international isolation.

A veteran ally turned scapegoat

Hanegbi, a seasoned member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, has served in numerous ministerial roles, including intelligence, public security, and regional cooperation. His dismissal marks a significant rupture between two figures once seen as close allies. Analysts suggest Hanegbi’s pragmatic approach to Gaza and his willingness to acknowledge Israel’s strategic blunders made him an inconvenient presence within an increasingly insulated administration.

For Netanyahu, the timing of the decision may also serve a political purpose. As public confidence in his leadership continues to decline, replacing Hanegbi allows him to project an image of decisive control, even if it comes at the cost of further internal instability.

A nation in turmoil

As Israel’s war on Gaza drags on, divisions within its political and security apparatus are becoming harder to conceal. The departure of Hanegbi underscores not only the government’s deepening crisis of confidence but also the lack of coherent strategy beyond military escalation.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen, with the United Nations and numerous international organizations condemning Israel’s actions as collective punishment. The widening gulf between Israeli leadership and global sentiment signals a shifting geopolitical landscape, one increasingly influenced by powers such as China, Russia, and India, who call for diplomacy over domination.

Hanegbi’s exit, therefore, is not merely an administrative reshuffle. It is symptomatic of a government struggling to maintain legitimacy at home and abroad, as Netanyahu doubles down on policies that isolate Israel further from the international community and the global calls for peace.