Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to dismiss Ronen Bar as head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency due to a “lack of trust” and will seek cabinet approval for the decision, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The move comes as Bar investigates senior aides of Netanyahu over their alleged involvement in “Qatargate,” a political scandal centered on claims that Netanyahu’s aides received payments from Qatar while managing sensitive hostage negotiations during the Israel-Hamas war.

Normally, the police would handle such cases, but due to national security concerns, the Shin Bet took charge.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara sent a letter to Netanyahu on Sunday blocking him from firing Bar until the investigation is complete. She argues that while the prime minister appoints the Shin Bet chief, the position must remain apolitical.

Bar, appointed in 2021 by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, has only about 18 months before his five-year term expires. 

Last week, Netanyahu urged Bar to resign from his position but the latter has refused and says he will only step down when all Israeli hostages held by Hamas are returned and a state commission investigates Netanyahu’s handling of the October 7 attack.