Israeli political and security circles are witnessing sharp tensions and divisions following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss  Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and his handling of the captives issue.

In the latest developments, a stormy confrontation erupted during a meeting of the Security Cabinet after Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir received a report from his advisors alleging that the dismissed Shin Bet chief had ordered the collection of information against him.

The revelation, published by journalist Amit Segal on Israeli Channel 12, caused a major uproar within the Cabinet on Sunday evening.

Ben Gvir directly accused Bar, saying, "You are a liar, a criminal who spies on the political leadership," to which Bar responded, "This is false. I never ordered an investigation against you."

Israeli media reported that Ben Gvir further attacked Bar, stating that he is "a danger to democracy and belongs in solitary confinement for attempting a coup."

Reports of a physical altercation

According to Channel 12 correspondent Nir Dvori, the head of Mossad and the army chief attempted to physically separate Ben Gvir and Bar. One attendee was quoted as saying, "It looked as if Ben Gvir was about to strangle the Shin Bet chief."

However, the Police Minister's office quickly denied any physical altercation, dismissing such reports as "misleading." The office clarified that while Ben Gvir "strongly criticized and even raised his voice against Ronen Bar," he was seated across the room from him.

In this context, Israel News described the dynamics within the Cabinet as follows: "Ronen Bar is present in the Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu avoids eye contact with him, the National Security Minister threatens to imprison him, and the dismissed Shin Bet chief fears for his life."

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Commenting on the growing tensions within Netanyahu’s government, opposition leader and head of the State Camp party Benny Gantz warned, "Israel’s security is at risk due to internal divisions," calling the situation "a prelude to disaster."

Netanyahu accuses Bar of probing Ben-Gvir

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of investigating Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir without his approval, amid a power struggle that continues to deepen the rift in government. 

Netanyahu’s cabinet voted unanimously in the early hours of Friday to dismiss Bar, marking the first time that a sitting head of the [domestic] security agency has been fired. However, his dismissal was blocked by the Supreme Court and protested by the settler community. 

Now, the prime minister responded to a report that the Shin Bet, under Bar, had extensively investigated the far-right infiltration of the police and its links to Ben-Gvir, alleging "the claim that the prime minister authorized Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to gather evidence against Minister Ben Gvir is yet another exposed lie."

"The published document, which contains an explicit directive from the Shin Bet chief to gather evidence against political leaders, resembles dark regimes, undermines democracy, and aims to bring down a right-wing government," Netanyahu's statement claimed. 

Ben-Gvir responded on X, labeling Bar a "criminal" and a "liar," accusing him of attempting to cover up his alleged conspiracy against elected officials in the "democratic" occupation entity, despite the documents being publicly revealed.

'Israel failing to achieve its war objectives'

Gantz criticized the government's handling of relations with the US, saying, "Instead of leveraging White House support, we are dismantling our own house," urging Netanyahu to "get out of the water."

Former Israeli occupation forces Chief of Staff and Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot also attacked Netanyahu, stating, "Under your leadership, Israel is fighting a war that began with the most severe incident in its history, which happened under your direct responsibility, and yet it is failing to achieve its war objectives."

Eisenkot added that while "most Israelis support the immediate return of hostages and a decisive war against terrorism until its defeat, the government is instead focused on battling the gatekeepers and the judiciary."

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi described the ongoing conflict as "an existential war that has intensified over the past year and a half."

Brigadier General (Res.) Asaf Agmon, the grandfather of a soldier killed in Lebanon, also criticized Netanyahu, calling him "the greatest oppressor."