JERUSALEM, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Gil Reich, deputy head of the National Security Council, will serve as acting chief, the statement said.
"Netanyahu thanks Tzachi Hanegbi for his service as head of the National Security Council over the past three years and wishes him success and good health," the statement added, without giving a reason for his dismissal.
Hanegbi confirmed his departure, saying in a statement: "Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me today of his intention to appoint a new head of the National Security Council. In light of this, my term ends today. I will, of course, be at my successor's disposal as needed."
Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that Hanegbi was dismissed after he opposed Israeli airstrikes in Qatar targeting senior Hamas officials and a large-scale military operation to seize control of Gaza City, launched in August.
According to the report, Hanegbi also supported creating a national inquiry committee, led by a judge, to examine Netanyahu's government's failure to prevent and respond to the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed about 1,200 people. ■