In the midst of heightened tension, Netanyahu dismissed the head of intelligence.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, due to the agency's failure to prevent the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli cabinet convened on Thursday evening, March 20, to formally approve Bar's dismissal. Netanyahu's cabinet unanimously supported the decision to remove Bar from his position. According to the resolution, Bar's tenure will officially conclude on April 10.

Bar was appointed as the head of Shin Bet in October 2021 for a five-year term.

Last Sunday, Netanyahu expressed his intention to dismiss Bar in a video statement, citing his ongoing distrust towards him. He noted that this distrust has intensified over time.

Netanyahu's decision has sparked outrage among Israelis, leading to intense anti-government protests in Tel Aviv. Additionally, thousands of angry Israelis joined demonstrations in Jerusalem against Israel's renewed attacks on Gaza.

Since Tuesday, March 18, the occupying Israeli forces have commenced airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the reported deaths of nearly 600 individuals, according to Al Jazeera. Furthermore, over a hundred others have been injured. This military action by Israel violates the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that came into effect on January 19 of this year.