Protests as Israel's Netanyahu fires defence minister

The surprise move to sack Yoav Gallant -- a hawk on the war against Hezbollah but who also pushed for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza -- came as voters choose a new president in the United States, Israel's top military backer.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on May 21, 2024 shows Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) during a press conference in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023 and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a cabinet meeting at the Israeli Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv on December 31, 2023. (AFP)