Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired the head of the nation’s security service over its failure to anticipate the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas. The Israeli cabinet met on Thursday evening to formally approve the early dismissal of Ronen Bar, who was appointed in October 2021 for a five-year term as the Shin Bet’s chief. Netanyahu announced his intention to sack Mr Bar in a video statement on Sunday, citing an “ongoing distrust” between the two men which he said had “grown over time”. The move sparked outrage and further inflamed anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem, which saw thousands of Israelis join forces with protestors opposing Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza. It is the first time in Israel’s history that a government has fired the Shin Bet’s leader.
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