Netanyahu dissolves Israeli war cabinet: official

JERUSALEM, - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved his wartime cabinet, which was created on Oct 11, 2023, an Israeli government official confirmed to Xinhua.

The wartime cabinet was established days after the beginning of Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in order to discuss Israel's operations in the enclave and along the northern border against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, a Hamas ally in the region.

Netanyahu announced the decision during a security cabinet meeting on Sunday, according to the official.

The disbanding of the wartime cabinet came as Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing extremist minister of internal security, demanded to join it. His request came following the resignation of Benny Gantz, leader of the only centrist party in Netanyahu's coalition government, on June 9.

The wartime cabinet consisted of three members - Netanyahu, Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who together made important decisions regarding the military campaign in Gaza.