Netanyahu dissolves influential war Cabinet after key partner bolted from government

By TIA GOLDENBERG
Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the influential war Cabinet that has overseen the fighting in Gaza. The move comes days after a key member of the body bolted from the government over frustration with the Israeli leader’s handling of the war. The change was widely expected following the departure earlier this month of Benny Gantz, a centrist former military chief. Gantz’s absence from the government increases Netanyahu’s dependence on his ultra-nationalist allies, who oppose a cease-fire. That could pose an additional challenge to the already fragile negotiations to end the eight-month war in Gaza.