Netanyahu Fires Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Defense Minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on Tuesday over differences on the prosecution of the war in Gaza — a risky step at a moment when Israel is fighting on two fronts.

Mr. Gallant was pushing for a cease-fire deal in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, and his dismissal removes the main proponent in the government for such an agreement. Mr. Gallant and Mr. Netanyahu also clashed over domestic political issues, particularly the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Israelis.

Large crowds of Israeli protesters, opposing Mr. Gallant’s firing, came out in Tel Aviv and near the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem. Thousands blocked traffic and lit bonfires on a major highway in Tel Aviv.

Mr. Gallant had increasingly been viewed as an internal opponent to the prime minister, and he has been a more moderate voice within the government on security issues.

Mr. Netanyahu, who announced the decision in a video statement issued by his office, said, “significant gaps on handling the war” emerged between him and Mr. Gallant.

He named Israel Katz, the foreign minister with scant security experience, as the new defense minister, and said he offered Gideon Saar, a hard-liner, to replace Mr. Katz as foreign minister and formally bring his party into the coalition.