Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced moves to oust the head of the nation's domestic intelligence agency, citing "a distrust that has grown over time" between the pair.
The extraordinary move comes days after Mr Netanyahu accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and his predecessor of waging a "blackmail" campaign against him.
Tension between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Bar has been simmering for months, according to Israeli media, as the Prime Minister's office tries to lay total blame for Hamas's deadly attacks on October 7, 2023 at the feet of intelligence and Defence officials.
Mr Bar had pledged to step down as the head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), referred to as Shin Bet, once all remaining Israeli hostages were returned by Hamas.
Fifty-nine remain in Gaza, with 35 believed to be dead.
In a video statement on Sunday night, Mr Netanyahu said the prime minister "must have full confidence in the head of the Shin Bet" as Israel faced an "existential war".
"But unfortunately, the situation is the opposite — I do not have such confidence," he said.
"I have ongoing distrust in the head of the Shin Bet. A distrust that has grown over time.
"Due to this ongoing distrust, I have decided this week to bring to the government a proposal for a resolution to terminate the position of the head of the Shin Bet."
It is expected Israel's security cabinet will vote on the move on Wednesday, although the country's attorney-general has said the prime minister does not have the authority to press ahead with the dismissal until the "factual and legal basis" of the decision was examined.
Mr Netanyahu and members of his government had also clashed repeatedly with the attorney-general.
"I would like to clarify — I am full of appreciation for the women and men of the Shin Bet," Mr Netanyahu said.
"They do dedicated and important work for the security of all of us.
"As the prime minister in charge of the Shin Bet, I am certain that this step is necessary for the restoration of the organisation, for achieving all of our war goals, and for preventing the next disaster."
In a lengthy statement, Mr Bar hit back at the prime minister.
"The duty of loyalty placed on the Shin Bet is first and foremost to Israeli citizens," he said.
"This underlies all my actions and decisions.
"The prime minister's expectation of a duty of personal loyalty, the purpose of which contradicts the public interest, is a fundamentally illegitimate expectation."
Netanyahu labels current and former spy chiefs of 'mafia-style' threats
A key part of Shin Bet's responsibilities is monitoring the activity of Palestinian militant and terrorist groups, and there has been significant criticism of the agency's failings in the lead-up to October 7, 2023.
Hamas's attacks on Israel killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 being taken hostage.
There have been multiple investigations into the actions of intelligence and Defence officials in the lead-up to the deadly day, which was the catalyst for the war in Gaza.
In recent weeks, the head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has also been replaced.
Mr Bar said any investigation into failures on October 7 needed to include all parts of government, including Mr Netanyahu and his office.
"Investigating to uncover the truth is of utmost importance in the Shin Bet," he said.
"The public has a right to know what led to the massacre and the collapse of Israel's security."
Shin Bet had been involved in the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, along with Israel's international spy agency Mossad — but the agencies had been sidelined in recent weeks.
Last week, Ronen Bar's predecessor, Nadav Agraman, gave an explosive interview to Israel's Channel 12.
Mr Agraman claimed he had a huge amount of damaging information about Mr Netanyahu, which he would make public if he believed the prime minister ever broke the law.
In response to the interview, Mr Netanyahu said: "Another dangerous red line for Israeli democracy was crossed.
"Never, in the entire history of Israeli and in the entire history of democracies, has the former head of the Shin Bet carried out live blackmail threats against a sitting prime minister," he posted on social media platform X.
"This crime joins a whole campaign of blackmail with threats through media briefings in recent days, conducted by the current head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar."
The prime minister accused the two men of trying to stop him rebuilding the organisation.
"Let it be clear — mafia-style criminal threats will not deter me," Mr Netanyahu said.
His lawyers later referred the interview to police for investigation.
