Protests erupt in Israel after controversial sacking

Footage posted to social media showed the moment a group of protesters were hosted down by a water cannon as demonstrations erupt across the country.

Protesters have been hosed down by police on the streets of Tel Aviv during mass demonstrations, which have broken out across Israel in response to the controversial sacking of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Footage posted across social media showed protesters lighting fires, blocking traffic and clashing with police across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Caesarea.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Picture: AFP

One of the videos shows a group of protesters blocking a main road in Tel Aviv being hosted down by a water cannon.

The protests come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he was firing Mr Gallant on Wednesday due to “cracked trust”.

The pair have long been at odds with one another about the handling of the war in Gaza, with Mr Gallant copping most of the blame for the October 7 attack.

Israeli protesters block a road in Tel Aviv. Picture: AFP

Its ongoing campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Yoav Gallant responded to the announcement on X, saying that the security of Israel was the “mission” of his life. Picture: AFP

“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office late on Tuesday local time.

“Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defence minister.

“Over the past few months that trust has eroded.“

Israelis take to the street in Jerusalem after the dismissal of the defence minister. Picture: AFP

Police officers detain a protester during a demonstration. Picture: Getty

Israelis demonstrate in Jerusalem after the dismissal of the defence minister. Picture: AFP

Mr Gallant, a former general, has been replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

In a post on X, Mr Gallant responded to the announcement stating that the “security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life”.

The grassroots group that represents the loved ones of the hostages – The Hostages and Missing Families Forum – condemned the sacking as a “direct continuation of the ‘efforts’ to torpedo the hostage deal”.

“The dismissal of the Defense Minister is an unfortunate proof of the Israeli government’s poor set of priorities,” the Forum said.

A previous attempt by Mr Netanyahu to fire Mr Gallant in March last year also led to widespread street protests against the Prime Minister.