Gallant 'lost his mind', igniting anti-government protests: Netanyahu
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Israeli media reports that Netanyahu's office issued recently briefings against the security minister.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Security Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine on October 28, 2023. (AFP)
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked his Security Minister Yoav Gallant, stating, "he has lost his mind," Israeli news channel Kan 11 reported on Sunday.
The channel reported that those close to Netanyahu are furious over Gallant's demand to cancel the cabinet's decision regarding the Philadelphi Corridor, which led to further obstacles in the ceasefire negotiations as it comes against one of the main conditions laid out by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza; a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.
The prime minister's office accused Gallant of "trying to ignite protests in the streets against the government," referring to the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets on Sunday evening, mainly in Tel Aviv, demanding a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian Resistance.
Read more: Disputes between Gallant, Netanyahu damaging war effort, officials say
Contributing to the eruption of the demonstrations was the Israeli military announcement that the bodies of six captives were recovered in Gaza's Rafah today.
Israeli media reported that throughout the day, Netanyahu's office issued briefings against the security minister. However, according to Israeli reports, Gallant will not be dismissed from his position.
Reverse the decision
Earlier this week, the Israeli security cabinet, the top decision-making body in the Israeli regime, had decided in a majority vote that the Israeli military occupation in the Philadelphi Corridor be maintained regardless of any future ceasefire agreement.
Gallant, who reflects the position of the majority of Israeli military and security officials, voted against the decision during the cabinet session. He also called on Sunday the cabinet to reconvene and reverse the decision, stating that stalling a ceasefire agreement endangers the lives of Israeli captives.
Read more: Israeli protesters erect tents in Tel Aviv demanding exchange deal
The corridor stretches from the Israeli-controlled Karem Abu Salem crossing to Rafah's shore passing through the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. "Israel" occupied the corridor in its ground invasion of the city of Rafah in May.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claim that occupying the corridor would bolster "Israel's" security.
