JERUSALEM, June 17 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the six-member war cabinet, an Israeli official said today, in a widely expected move that came after the departure from government of the centrist former general Benny Gantz.

Netanyahu had faced demands from the nationalist-religious partners in his coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to be included in the war cabinet, a move which would have intensified strains with international partners including the United States. — Reuters