Netanyahu Reportedly Delays Gallant's Dismissal Amid National Security Concerns

Unnamed sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel's public broadcaster Kan that the leader decided to delay the dismissal of his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indefinitely due to the developing threats to national security.

• Netanyahu announced that he would sack Gallant after the defence chief delivered a televised address a week ago calling on the government to stop its controversial judicial overhaul, which added fuel to ongoing street protests.
• However, local media outlets reported that Gallant has not been served a formal letter of dismissal as of yet, as the opposition accused Netanyahu of compromising national security while some coalition officials suggested that Gallant should keep his post.
• Israeli air force said that it downed a foreign aircraft (likely an UAV), which crossed the border from Syria and may have been of Iranian origin. The incident fanned concerns that Israel's domestic political turmoil might put its external security at risk.