Netanyahu ousts longtime confidant Hanegbi as national security advisor after clashes on Gaza war strategy

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, following reports of disagreements between the two over decisions related to the Gaza war. 

In a statement to Israeli media, Hanegbi announced the firing himself. 

“Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me today of his intention to appoint a new head of the National Security Council,” Hanegbi said in the statement. “In light of this, my term as National Security Advisor and Chief of Staff for National Security will end today. I will of course be at the disposal of my successor as needed.” 

Henegbi also acknowledged that the two had disagreements, while thanking Netanyahu. 

“I thanked the Prime Minister for the privilege I had of being a partner in shaping Israel's foreign and security policy in challenging years, for the opportunity to express an independent position in sensitive discussions, and for the professional dialogue we maintained even during disputes.” 

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Tuesday evening, saying, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanks Tzachi Hanegbi for his service as Director of the National Security Council (NSC) for the past three years and wishes him much success in the future and robust health.” 

Channel 12 News reported that Hanegbi recently clashed with Netanyahu over Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, preferring a limited hostage-ceasefire deal, even if it brought only a partial release. He also reportedly opposed the strike on Hamas officials in Qatar. 

Hebrew media outlets said that several associates of Netanyahu approached Hanegbi shortly before his firing, and hinted that it would be better for him to resign his position due to disagreements with Prime Minister Netanyahu. When he did not do so, Netanyahu announced his firing. 

Hanegbi joins a series of security officials who have disagreed with Netanyahu over the past two years and have either been fired or resigned. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was replaced, after several open disagreements with Netanyahu, by Israel Katz.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was replaced with Eyal Zamir, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was removed and replaced only recently with David Zini. 

Tzachi Hanegbi – once considered a close confidant of Netanyahu – was the first head of the National Security Council to come to the position from a political background, rather than a career in the security field. He was widely seen by opposition politicians as someone chosen to support Netanyahu’s position in the council. Israel Hayom cited a source from the security sector who claimed that the voicing of an independent position led to Hanegbi’s firing. 

“Hanegbi began to form an independent opinion as expected, and it did not suit Prime Minister Netanyahu,” the source told the Israeli news agency. 

In addition, the prime minister's staff has experienced a high level of turnover since Netanyahu returned to office. Besides the previously mentioned security officials, Netanyahu’s previous spokesman, Dr. Omer Dostri, was fired; Yonatan Urich was removed from the office over the Qatargate investigation, while Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman and the PMO's director-general, Yossi Shelley, were appointed ambassadors. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer also recently announced that he intends to step down in the near future. 

While Netanyahu has a history of high turnover, even in previous terms as prime minister, some opposition members have seen the current staffing problems of indicative of deeper problems. 

Former IDF chief of staff, and previous National Unity party member Gadi Eisenkot, addressed Hanegbi’s dismissal, attacking Netanyahu. 

“I did not spare criticism of the National Security Council headed by Tzachi Hanegbi, like everyone who held a position on October 7—it would have been appropriate for him to end his role,” Eisenkot said. “But his dismissal this evening is an expression of the continued escape from responsibility by all cabinet members and the Prime Minister of the October 7 failure—in order to replace them with 'yes-men.' Even this evening, and especially in light of Hanegbi's announcement, it is right to demand the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that will provide true answers to the people.” 

Blue and White party leader, and former political partner of Eisenkot, Benny Gantz – also a former IDF chief of state as well as defense minister – praised Hanegbi’s “commitment to the State of Israel.” 

“As someone who sat next to him in the Cabinet for months and saw firsthand his commitment to the State of Israel and its security, I would like to thank Tzachi Hanegbi and cherish his work as head of the National Security Council, during such a critical and complex period for the State of Israel,” Gantz posted to social media. 

Meanwhile, the Democrats party leader Yair Golan attacked the security and coalition government leaders in place during the Oct. 7 attacks, saying the people would soon replace them. 

"Defense Minister Galant, Chief of Staff Herzi, Shin Bet chief Bar, and now National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi - all bear responsibility for the colossal failure of October 7,” Golan wrote to social media. “It's good that Hanegbi has finished his term. Only Netanyahu, the one primarily responsible for the massacre, still holds on to his seat. We will replace him too.”