Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving prime minister, has seen his already falling approval ratings plunge following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which killed some 1,400 people in the deadliest day for Israel in its 75-year history.
"It has deeply impeded the need to focus on the war and on making decisions, including painful decisions.
"Between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff there is complete and mutual trust and a clear unity of purpose," the statement said.
In the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, Netanyahu invited former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who leads one of the centrist opposition parties, to join his war cabinet as part of an emergency unity government.
But his own personal standing, already clouded by a corruption trial on charges which he denies, has been badly damaged and a recent poll showed Gantz was now a far more popular choice as prime minister.
Persons:
Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel's, Yedioth, Israel, Haim Bibas, Benny Gantz, Gantz, James Mackenzie, Nick Macfie
Organizations:
of Defense, Gaza, Channel, Thomson
Locations:
Hamas, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Syria, United States, Modiin