Netanyahu seeks to oust head of Israel's domestic security service

17/3/2025 12:58

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the head of the country's Shin Bet domestic security service Ronen Bar that he plans to bring his dismissal before the government this week, a statement from Netanyahu's office said on Sunday.



There was no immediate comment from Shin Bet or from Bar, whose dismissal would likely draw criticism in Israel. Netanyahu and Bar's relations were often described in Israeli media as tense throughout the war against Hamas in Gaza.



In a video statement, Netanyahu said that he had long lost his confidence in Bar and that trust in the head of the domestic security service was especially crucial at a time of war.



According to Israeli tallies, the war was triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 surprise attack, widely seen as Israel's worst security failure, which led to its single deadliest day, with 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza.



Shin Bet is currently part of an investigation into possible links between employees in Netanyahu's office and Qatar, which has been mediating ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel.