JERUSALEM - Israel's hardline defense minister unexpectedly cut short the term of his outspoken army chief, with a new commander to take over just days before the start of a planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer.

The curt dismissal of Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, announced in the middle of the night, triggered wall-to-wall criticism today, with many politicians and commentators accusing Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz of endangering the Gaza pullback because of personal tensions with his army chief.

Yaalon, widely seen as a successful commander, has frequently criticized government policy in the past, saying its harsh measures increased Palestinian hatred and violence.

Israel's parliament was expected to give final approval to the pullout plan later today, after a two-day debate. Some 70 of 120 legislators were to vote in favor, while about 40 lawmakers were to vote no, including more than a dozen from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party.

Today, the ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced it would not support the 2005 budget in parliament, raising questions about whether Sharon's government would be able implement the Gaza withdrawal, Israeli media reported.

Without Shas' support, Sharon does not have a majority in parliament for the spending plan. Parliament must approve the budget by March 31 or Sharon's government will automatically fall, and an election will be held within three months.

In Gaza, Palestinian militants fired two mortar rounds at the Jewish settlement of Morag. No injuries or damage were reported.

Also today, Jordan announced it would return its ambassador to Israel after a four-year absence.

Yaalon was told by Mofaz late Tuesday that his three-year term, which is up in July, would not be extended by another year, as is customary in the military. Mofaz' decision amounted to a dismissal, since Yaalon had requested the extension, and such a request is traditionally approved.

The Gaza pullout is expected to be accompanied by violent confrontations between Israeli soldiers and settlers, and the army should not be focusing on a shakeup in its top brass when Israel is facing "one of the most problematic, difficult and complex tests" in its history, Cabinet minister Haim Ramon said.