Tzachi Hanegbi's tenure as National Security Council head ended after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed him he would be appointing a new council head, Hanegbi said in a statement on Tuesday.
Netanyahu announced that he would appoint the deputy head of the National Security Council, Gil Reich, to its acting head.
“I thanked the prime minister for the privilege of being a partner in shaping Israel’s foreign and security policy during challenging years, for the opportunity to express an independent position in sensitive discussions, and for the professional discourse we conducted even during times of disagreement,” Hanegbi stated.
In the statement, Hanegbi called for a “thorough investigation” of the failures leading to the October 7 massacre, "in which I share [responsibility].
“The terrible failure... must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that the appropriate lessons are learned and to help restore the trust that has been shattered,” the national security council head wrote.
“The strength of Israeli unity has been revealed in full force on the battlefield over the past two years, shattering the illusions of our enemies. Now, restoring unity at all levels of public activity is a condition for ensuring the eternity of Israel,” he added.
Hanegbi's dismissal 'evasion of responsibility'
MK Gadi Eisenkot wrote on X/Twitter, “I did not spare criticism of the National Security Council under the leadership of Tzachi Hanegbi. Like everyone who held a position on October 7, he should have ended his tenure.
“Yet his dismissal this evening is an expression of the continued evasion of responsibility by all Cabinet members and the prime minister of the October 7 debacle – in order to replace them with yes-men.”
“Only Netanyahu, the primary person responsible for the massacre, still clings to power in his seat. We will replace him too,” Democrats leader Yair Golan wrote.
“The new head of the National Security Council must be free from the misconceptions and delusions that led Israel to October 7,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated.
“I call on the prime minister to make a bold appointment, with a clear, distinct right-wing perspective, free of left-wing illusions.”
Hanegbi openly opposed recent Qatar strike, 'Gideon's Chariots 2'
Netanyahu’s decision to replace Hanegbi as NSC head comes amid reported disagreements between the two on the order to carry out a strike in Qatari territory last month, as well as the launch of the IDF’s ‘Gideon’s Chariots 2’ operation in the Gaza Strip.
“I’m not willing to give up on saving the hostages,” Hanegbi told the cabinet before the launch of ‘Gideon’s Chariots 2,’ as reported by N12.
“I don’t understand how someone who has watched the videos of Evyatar and Rom, and all those released before them, can support the statement ‘all or nothing.’ That means giving up the chance to rescue at least 10 hostages immediately, because Hamas won’t respond to that demand.
“A ceasefire would allow us to try to reach an agreement on the remaining 10. I fully agree with the chief of staff that taking control of Gaza City jeopardizes the lives of the hostages, which is why I oppose the prime minister’s proposal,” he said.