Israel Katz

Defense Minister:

Houthis resumed firing, we'll complete the Ten Plagues

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to increase in Houthi missile launches, warns more retribution to come.

Following Yemen strike:

Security for Israeli officials increased to unprecedented level

Security for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and other senior officials increased to unprecedented levels following elimination of Houthi Prime Minister and other ministers.

IDF:

Min. Katz, IDF Chief of Staff agree on IDF appointment procedure

During their meeting, the two concluded the IDF's appointment procedure, which will continue to include prior consultation out of a commitment to full cooperation and strengthening the military's capabilities.

Defense Minister:

Brazil's president has revealed his true face as an antisemite

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to declaration of Brazil's President Lula as persona non-grata, condemns withdrawal of Brazil from IHRA.

Defense Minister: Israel will remain on Mount Hermon

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to reports of upcoming ceasefire with Syria, promising Israel will maintain control of areas necessary for its security.

Netanyahu:

Houthis are learning the heavy price of attacking Israel

PM Netanyahu congratulates IAF on 'impeccable mission,' notes Houthi terror group is 'learning the hard way' the prices of aggression against Israel.

Defense Minister: Gates of hell will open in Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz announces approval of IDF plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza through use of heavy fire, evacuations, and maneuvering.

Defense Min. approves Gaza City plan 'Gideon's Chariots 2'

'Gideon Chariots 2' follows the previous “Gideon Chariots” operation, which led to the decisive defeat of Hamas throughout the majority of Gaza and allowed the IDF to take control of 75% of Gaza’s territory.

Hamas aims for partial deal, IDF preparing to take Gaza City

Security officials say there has been no significant in negotiations, prompting the IDF to ramp up preparations to take control of Gaza City.

Defense Minister

'Fear we'd conquer Gaza brought Hamas back to negotiating table'

Amid reports Hamas has given a positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal, Minister Israel Katz says the threat of an IDF operation in Gaza City allowed diplomacy to resume.

IDF strikes power plant deep in Yemen with naval attack

The IDF struck early this morning in Yemen's capital. Local media claimed that the strikes were aimed at the Haziz power plant in southern Sanaa.

'Promises must be kept'

Captivity survivors urge Katz to bring hostages home

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Shabbat reception outside the Defense Minister's home: "We are here to tell all the hostages - we are fighting for you! The people of Israel stand here together, we will not give up."

Zamir to Katz

'Trust and cohesion are key to victory'

The Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister met for the first time since the widely reported tensions over a series of military appointments that the minister had yet to approve. 'Victory on the battlefield does not depend solely on military strength.'

Reconciliation attempt:

Katz, IDF Chief to meet amid growing tensions

Efforts are underway to schedule a meeting between Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Zamir amid tensions over IDF appointments and Gaza strategy disagreements.

Defense Min. to IDF: Read the investigations and lower your gaze

Defense Minister Israel Katz promises there will no longer be 'army that is not under supervision,' rejecting attempts to undermine established procedures following the October 7 events.

Report:

Zamir denied entry to meeting amid tensions with Defense Minister

The Chief of Staff sought to approve new military appointments but was turned away. Katz’s office: He was told the Minister was unavailable, yet came anyway.

Clash at the top:

Chief of Staff announces appointments, Defense Minister opposes

Staffing discussion led by Chief of Staff results in a series of senior IDF appointments, but Defense Minister Katz announces he will not approve them. Chief of Staff Zamir: "The Chief of Staff is the sole authority in appointing commanders at the rank of colonel and above."

Defense Minister

'The Red Wedding participants are waiting for Khamenei'

Minister Israel Katz reacts to Iranian publication of a list of Israeli officials for assassination. 'I suggest to the Iranian dictator Khamenei that when he emerges from his bunker, he occasionally looks up to the sky and listens carefully for any buzzing.'

Galei Tzahal controversy

Defense Minister on radio station: Status quo cannot continue

Defense Minister Israel Katz signs off on committee to review future of IDF's radio station Galei Tzahal; committee to submit its recommendations within 50 days.

From Yeshiva to IDF:

Sons of ministers draft to IDF

Sons of ministers Amichai Eliyahu and Bezalel Smotrich and head of Hesder Yeshiva in Holon, Rabbi Haggai Lundin, draft to IDF.

Protest outside DM's home

'Until they return, it’s not Shabbat for us'

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Kabbalat Shabbat in front of Defense Minister Israel Katz's home: "On Fridays in captivity, we would make kiddush over water and say the blessing over bread. Until all the hostages return, we will not have a real Shabbat meal.”

Defense Minister Katz defends IDF Chief of Staff amid criticism

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to Yair Netanyahu’s criticism of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, praising his leadership in tackling security challenges and emphasizing IDF’s offensive operations and commitment to achieving war objectives.

Defense Minister:

'IDF must carry out politicians' orders'

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated during his visit to Gaza that he will ensure the IDF carries out all decisions by the Cabinet regarding the war.

Defense Minister prays at Western Wall on Tisha B'Av

On Tisha B'Av, Defense Minister Israel Katz prayed at the Western Wall for the return of the hostages, the safety of IDF soldiers, and victory over Hamas terrorists.

Ministers, MKs demand civilian access to northern Gaza

Badra Yosef leaves country after husband's passing amid dwindling Jewish presence; only four Jews remain in Yemen.

Defense Min on day after

'We need the IDF to be around & Inside Gaza'

Defense Minister Israel Katz outlines his vision for the day after the war in Gaza: "The goal is to defeat Hamas; we need to be responsible for security in Gaza."

Defense Min.:

If Hamas won't release hostages, gates of hell will open on Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns 'gates of hell' will open on Gaza if hostages aren't released, stresses IDF's superhuman efforts to protect Gaza civilians.

Defense Min. to Khamenei: 'Do not threaten, lest you be harmed'

Defense Minister Israel Katz praises IAF for its role in Operation Rising Lion, warns Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that Israel's long arm can reach Tehran again - 'this time, even to you personally.'

'Terrorism pays off':

Israeli leaders slam Macron for recognizing Palestinian state

Israeli leaders condemn French President Emmanuel Macron’s announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, accuse him of rewarding Hamas and betraying the Jewish people.

Defense Minister threatens to open 'gates of hell' against Hamas

Minister Katz threatens Hamas in response to the terrorist organization's continued intransigence. 'If the hostages are not released soon, the gates of hell will open."

Defense Minister:

'We are at the closest point to achieving the war’s objectives'

Defense Minister Israel Katz leads a multi-front security assessment, signals the potential renewal of military action against Iran.

Defense Minister:

'We don't trust al-Julani, we trust only G-d and the IDF'

Defense Minister Israel Katz meets with Senator Ted Cruz, emphasizing Israel's unwavering policy to defend Druze and ensure security in the Golan Heights. 'IDF's presence in southern Syria is guarantee for Israel's security.'

Strikes caught live on air

Minister of Defense: The painful blows have commenced

Moments after Minister of Defense Katz warned of 'painful blows' to the Syrian regime, a live news broadcast captured the moment of an airstrike behind its studio.

Katz:

'We'll continue to attack Syrian forces until they withdraw'

Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the Syrian regime to withdraw its forces from the Sweida area and stop its operations against the Druze in the area and threatened that Israel's response would escalate.

IDF launches wave of airstrikes to protect Syrian Druze

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered the IDF to attack regime forces moving towards the Druze in light of Israel's commitment to its own Druze citizens.

Defense Minister warns Iran

'If we need to, we'll strike again with even greater force'

Defense Minister Israel Katz sent a warning to the Iranian regime during a pilots course graduation ceremony.

Defense Minister

Behind the scenes of the strikes on Iran

Minister Israel Katz reveals new details on Operation "Hila" and the preparations for the strikes on Iran, including coordination with the US and a companion Operation: "Tornado."

Defense Minister:

'We will never give up on defeating the enemy'

Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke with soldiers on a visit to Rafah in Gaza and instructed them: 'Kill the enemy, return the hostages, and win - this is our mission and there is no chance we will give up on it.'

Defense Minister announces body to tackle extremist violence

In emergency meeting, Katz orders crackdown on extremist violence in Judea and Samaria, launches task force and social initiatives targeting Hilltop Youth.

Netanyahu condemns arson at IDF base:

'No civilized country can tolerate such acts'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for swift justice after extremists torched a military facility in Judea and Samaria.

'An Awesome Responsibility':

Itzik Cohen takes command of IDF Operations Department

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir promoted Cohen in a ceremony at the Kiriya base today ahead of his new position.

DM Katz:

Iran's nuclear ambitions 'unequivocally' eliminated

Defense Minister Israel Katz confirms Iran's nuclear threat is "unequivocally" eliminated, with over 50% of launchers thwarted and decades of capabilities destroyed. He states Iran "won't dare try again".

After Hamas takeover:

Israel halts aid transfer to Gaza

The Prime Minister and Defense Minister instruct the IDF to present an action plan within 48 hours to prevent Hamas from taking control of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Israel designates Iran’s central bank as terror entity

Defense Minister Katz declares seven Iranian entities, including the Central Bank, as terrorist organizations funding Hezbollah, Houthis, and Hamas. 'We will strike the Iranian axis of evil wherever it operates.'

Defense Minister:

'Iran planned a surprise attack, we preempted them'

Minister Israel Katz says 'the Iranians planned to strike first and launch between 400 to 500 missiles in the opening strike,' tells Pete Hegseth Israel will respect the ceasefire if Iran does.

Unprecedented strikes against Iranian regime targets

Defense Minister confirms IDF targeting regime centers in Tehran following Iran’s missile attacks, including Evin Prison, notoriously associated with incarceration of political and anti-regime prisoners.

Minister of Defense:

'Strike symbols of Iranian regime, force evacuation of Tehran'

Defense Minister Israel Katz instructs IDF to escalate strikes on Iranian regime targets in Tehran, to destabilize government and deter missile attacks on Israel; senior Iranian nuclear scientist reportedly eliminated in a precision strike.

Katz:

'If there's terror, will be no Hezbollah'

Defense Minister Israel Katz lashed out at Hezbollah’s Secretary-General after his statement of commitment to support Iran: "Israel has lost patience with terrorists threatening it."

'Cannot be allowed to exist'

Defense Minister Katz threatens Khamenei

Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens for the first time: 'A dictator like Khamenei cannot be allowed to exist.'

Defense Min.:

Khamenei will be held accountable, we'll destabilize Iran regime

Defense Minister Israel Katz condemns Iran’s missile strikes on Soroka Hospital, promises Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will answer for them. 'These are war crimes of the highest order.'

Ahead of more IDF strikes in Iran:

Defense Minister Katz issues stern warning

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns 'a tornado is sweeping over Tehran' as IDF prepares for additional strikes against Iranian targets.

Defense Minister Katz: 'We will certainly deal with Fordo'

Minister Israel Katz clarifies that Israel is also going to deal with the Fordo nuclear enrichment facility, which operates underground beneath a mountain.

Katz warns Khamenei:

'Remember the dictator next door'

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a situation assessment with senior defense officials and reviewed to the attacks in Tehran.

Netanyahu at Tel Nof Airbase:

'The Israeli Air Force controls the skies of Tehran'

Prime Minister praises Air Force for unprecedented reach over Tehran, says Israel advancing toward victory with global admiration and national unity.

Defense Minister Katz: Tehran’s residents will soon pay the price

Defense Minister Israel Katz accuses Iran’s leader of targeting Israeli civilians to halt the IDF’s offensive, warns Tehran’s residents 'will pay the price — and soon.'

Following Katz's warnings

Israeli airstrikes hit the heart of Iran's capital

IAF jets struck targets in Tehran, including an international airport, air defense systems, and IRGC buildings.

Defense Minister:

'We'll stop the Gaza flotilla whatever it takes'

Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to act to prevent the arrival of the 'Madleen' flotilla to Gaza, led by extreme left-wing activists including Greta Thunberg.

Defense Minister:

'There will be no quiet in Beirut without security for Israel'

Minister Israel Katz responds to the Lebanese President's condemnation of the IDF strikes on Hezbollah targets in the Dahiya area of Beirut.

Israel sets new record in defense exports with over $14.7 billion

Israel MOD announces that Israel's all-time defense export record has been broken for the fourth consecutive year, with over $14.7 billion in 2024 - a 13% increase over the previous year. More than half of the deals were valued at over $100 million. Over 50% of the deals were with European countries. Defense exports have more than doubled over the past five years.

National Mission:

Defense Min appoints special coordinator to address hilltop youth

Defense Minister Israel Katz appoints Avichai Tanami as special coordinator to address hilltop youth, ending use of administrative detention orders in Judea and Samaria.