Why Did Netanyahu Fire Tzachi Hanegbi?

On Tuesday, Israeli National Security Council Chief Tzachi Hanegbi called for an investigation into the “catastrophic failure” of 7 October, 2023.

This was the first call by Hanegbi after he was dismissed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Netanyahu informed me, today, of my dismissal,” he said.

“The catastrophic failure of 7 October must be investigated to learn lessons and help restore the trust that was shattered,” he added.

Hanegbi was one of the most prominent confidantes of war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu, but recent disagreements between the two over the management of the war on the Gaza Strip contributed to his dismissal.

Israeli reports indicated that disagreements between the two men escalated over core security issues, including Hanegbi’s opposition to the so-called “Gideon 2” operation to occupy Gaza City, his support for a “phased deal” for a prisoner exchange, and his rejection of the Israeli attack on Qatar.

The dispute reached its peak when Hanegbi did not accompany Netanyahu on his recent visit to Washington, amid reports of a heated confrontation between the two during a meeting that ended with Hanegbi angrily leaving Netanyahu’s office.

The decision is the latest in a series of dismissals and resignations from senior positions within the Israeli government and military following the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation carried out by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and resistance factions on October 7, 2023 as reported in the Arabic assabeel.