Prime Minister Netanyahu reshuffled important positions in the cabinet in Israel. Gallant was replaced as Secretary of Defense and Katz was appointed as the new Secretary of Defense. Katz was the foreign minister for so long.

Netanyahu said confidence in Gallant was waning. So it was decided to remove him.

On receiving the new responsibility, Katz said, I will ensure victory against the enemy and try to reach the target. The goal is to destroy Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Having served in the Israeli Navy for 30 years, Gallant said after the announcement, Israel's security has always been my first and foremost goal.

Netanyahu cited a 'crisis of trust' and a 'significant gap' as reasons for Gallant's removal.

Netanyahu said full trust between the prime minister and the defense minister is essential in the midst of war. That confidence was there in the first few months of the war. The past few months have seen significant gains in the war, but confidence has been shaken.

The distance between the two has grown over the protracted war in Gaza. Strategic differences between them have come to the fore. Gallant wants to pursue a diplomatic deal to repatriate the detainees. He has publicly criticized Neyanyahu.

Netanyahu claims that he has tried several times to reduce this distance but failed.

Sources: AP, AFP, Reuters