Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, a key confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a central figure in shaping Israel’s policies during the Gaza war, submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday.
Mr. Dermer, who had been signaling his intention to depart from the government for several months, said he had pledged to his family that he would serve in the position for two years, but stayed longer to work with Mr. Netanyahu during what he called a “critical” period in Israel’s history.
“This government will be defined both by the attack on October 7th,” Mr. Dermer wrote, and by the prosecution of the multifront war that followed. Mr. Dermer was referring to the Hamas-led assault that ignited the devastating war in Gaza.
The resignation comes about one month after the last of the living hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel as part of a cease-fire deal with Hamas and as the remains of most of the deceased captives have now been turned over.
As one of Netanyahu’s closest aides, Mr. Dermer, 54, led Israel’s cease-fire negotiations with Hamas and helped secure American support for joint airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, leaving an outsized mark on the country’s war strategy.
Mr. Dermer is a polarizing figure in Israel. While some see him as instrumental in securing the recent cease-fire deal, others believe he helped Mr. Netanyahu prolong the war for the prime minister’s own political survival.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. It has also led to widespread privation and hunger and has destroyed much of the enclave.
The war brought in Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Israel also struck in Syria and conducted extensive raids in the West Bank throughout the war.
Mr. Dermer thanked Mr. Netanyahu for the opportunity to serve him “closely” and for trusting him “to handle the most significant issues facing Israel at this critical time.”
He praised Mr. Netanyahu’s leadership in his letter, writing, “Standing up to both internal and external pressures, you wisely navigated Israel through this war, standing firm to protect our vital interests when necessary and showing flexibility when those same vital interests required it,” Mr. Dermer wrote.
The international Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Mr. Netanayhu’s arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, allegations that Mr. Netanyahu denies.
Mr. Dermer, who moved to Israel from the United States as an adult, previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States between 2013 and 2021, working with both Republican and Democratic administrations.
In 2022, he continued helping Mr. Netanyahu’s diplomatic efforts, taking on the role as Israel’s strategic affairs minister, many times leading relations with the Biden and later Trump administrations, as well as other countries. He also played a key role in hostage negotiations with Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
A native of Miami Beach, Fla., Mr. Dermer is the son of a former Democratic mayor of the city. He moved to Israel after graduate school, never serving in the Israeli military, which is mandatory for most Israeli citizens.
He has advised the prime minister since 2000 and, in a sign of their close ties, was once described as “Bibi’s Brain,” a reference to Mr. Netanyahu’s nickname, Bibi, by the online magazine Tablet, which is focused on Jewish culture.
During the first Trump administration, Mr. Dermer developed a relationship with Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle East adviser. In the past year, the two worked closely together on advancing a cease-fire in Gaza.
Mr. Dermer said in his resignation letter that he is not sure what his next steps will be.
In a post on social media, the prime minister on Wednesday thanked Mr. Dermer for his “tremendous help” to him and the state of Israel. “I am sure you have much more to contribute in the future,” Mr. Netanyahu said.
