Israel Katz

Minister of Defense:

'Former Chief of Staff prohibited from entering IDF bases'

Min. of Defense says he will prohibit former Chief of Staff Ya'alon from entering IDF bases,' following request submitted by bereaved father Itzik Bonzel and Im Tirtzu.

The Defense Minister's dramatic warning to Gazans

Minister Israel Katz calls on residents of Gaza to learn from their fellow Gazans who demonstrated against Hamas in Beit Lahia and demand the removal of Hamas and the freeing of the hostages.

Yair Lapid:

If government doesn't obey Supreme Court, everything will end

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid slams Defense Minister Israel Katz, says he will be 'stained forever if he advances Draft Evasion Law.'

After the confrontation

Katz and Zamir meet: 'We are working together'

Following the public exchange of statements, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir meet, discuss the escalation of military pressure in Gaza and stress: "We are working together in full cooperation."

Minister of Defense:

Hamas will pay increasingly heavy prices

Minister of Defense Israel Katz approved the operational plans to continue operations in Gaza and stated: 'Our main goal is to bring the hostages home.'

Defense Minister:

'Chief of Staff's response was unnecessary'

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir engaged in a heated exchange regarding the arrest of a reserve officer on Monday night.

Security Cabinet approves:

Israel to manage admin. for voluntary relocation from Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz approves proposal to set up administration for 'voluntary relocation' administration from Gaza, 'We will assist any Gazan resident who wishes to relocate.'

Defense Minister:

If Hamas continues its refusal, we'll take more land from Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz instructs IDF to prepare to take over areas of Gaza, so long as Hamas refuses to agree to deal to release Israeli hostages.

Defense Minister:

'Military pressure is affecting Hamas's position'

Defense Minister Israel Katz holds a security situational assessment with the IDF Chief of Staff, approves continuation of military operation in Gaza.

'This is your last warning'

The Defense Minister's message to Gaza's residents

Minister of Defense Israel Katz addressed the residents of the Gaza Strip and called on them to cooperate: 'The first Sinwar ruined Gaza, the second Sinwar will destroy it completely.'

Defense Minister at Rafael:

'Our enemies must know we have many ways of striking them'

During the visit, Minister Katz toured the development and production facilities of the advanced defense systems company, and warned: 'Should our enemies raise their hand against the State of Israel ever again, I promise that that hand will be severed.'

Defense Minister:

'One-sided draft notices are a failure'

Defense Minister Israel Katz criticized the intention of the IDF to send 14,000 additional recruitment orders to haredim by May.

Defense Minister:

IDF will remain at security points in Lebanon indefinitely

Minister Israel Katz says the IDF will remain at 5 locations in southern Lebanon as long as this is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from threatening the residents of northern Israel.

'Bold alliance'

Israel sends 10,000 aid packages to the Druze in Syria

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar instructed Israel's Foreign Ministry to send packages of basic food, including oil, salt, flour, sugar, rice, and more to the Druze community in Syria.

'We're here to protect'

The Defense Minister's message to the new regime in Syria

Defense Minister Israel Katz visits buffer zone on Hermon summit, vows Israel will 'ensure that the entire security area in southern Syria is demilitarized and free of weapons and threats, and also protect the safety of the Druze in the area.'

Defense Minister Katz:

We will soon allow Druze laborers to work in Israel

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the cabinet approved an aid program for Druze and Circassians in Israel and added that Druze from Syria will soon be able to come to work in the Golan Heights.

Minister Katz's unusual order:

Use protest flotillas to evacuate Gazans

Minister of Defense Israel Katz ordered the IDF to swap protesters who arrive at Gaza's shores on protest flotillas with residents who wish to leave the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister threatens:

'Hamas will witness IDF's strength as never before'

'We'll leave no stone unturned until we bring back all our fallen,' Defense Minister Israel Katz promises at IDF memorial ceremony.

ZAKA marks traditional day for those caring for the dead

The ZAKA organization held a gathering of hundreds of volunteers to mark the 7th of Adar, the Hebrew date traditionally associated with honoring burial societies.

Minister Katz:

US President's support is a strategic asset that we must maintain

Minister of Defense Israel Katz addressed the General Staff Forum on Wednesday in its first meeting after Eyal Zamir assumed the position of Chief of Staff.

Defense Minister:

'Iran is the main threat, we will work with USA to defeat it'

Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke with the American Secretary of Defense and thanked America for the decision to speed up arms shipments to Israel.

In call with DM Katz

Hegseth reaffirms commitment to Israel

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks with Defense Minister Israel Katz, tells him that the United States “remains 100 percent committed to Israel's security”.

Defense Minister:

If Hamas doesn't release hostages, the gates of hell will open

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a threatening message to Hamas this evening demanding the release of the hostages: "We will return to fighting and they will meet the IDF with strength and in ways they have never known."

Unusual directive:

Netanyahu and Katz order IDF to protect Druze village in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, instruct IDF to prepare to protect Druze village of Jaramana, near Damascus in Syria.

Regavim:

'Plan to attack Jewish towns not secret, taking place every day'

Regavim movement responds to Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement that Israel has seized the Hamas terror group's "attack portfolios" for towns in Judea, Samaria, and along the "seam line."

Targeting Judea and Samaria:

Defense Minister: We confiscated Hamas 'attack portfolios'

Defense Minister Israel Katz reveals that Hamas laid plans to attack Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and along the 'seam line' - during ceasefire.

New measures against PA payments to terrorists

Defense Minister Israel Katz imposed sanctions on released security prisoners, Israeli residents, and citizens receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu to new officers:

'We will defeat the monster, Hamas will not rule Gaza'

Netanyahu held up a photo of the Bibas family, who were murdered in captivity in Gaza, and stated: 'Against this we fight, and we must and can defeat those monsters - we will defeat them.'

Defense Minister Katz:

'Hezbollah specializes in funerals, we in victories'

Israeli Defense Minister says the IDF aircraft that flew over Beirut during the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah send a clear message to the terrorist organization.

Defense Minister:

'Palestinians will not be allowed to return to refugee camps'

Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the IDF to prevent Palestinians from returning to several refugee camps in Samaria.

Defense Minister in Tulkarm:

We're not deterred, we'll see victory in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Tulkarm, warns released terrorists: 'We're watching you, we'll hunt you down and eliminate anyone involved in terror.'

Defense Minister Katz:

Maj. Gen. Amir Baram appointed Defense Min. Dir. General

Defense Minister Israel Katz decided today to appoint Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram, to the position of Director General of the Ministry of Defense.

Defense Minister:

New department for voluntary departure of Gazans established

A dedicated directorate will be established in the Defense Ministry that will offer extensive assistance to any Gaza resident who wishes to voluntarily emigrate to a third country.

100s of hours, 0 personal findings

IDF to publish findings of 10.7 investigation

For the first time, the Israeli public will be presented with official explanations and findings regarding the causes and circumstances leading to the Hamas surprise attack. Findings regarding individual officers will not be published.

Netanyahu to Government:

'We are facing historic opportunities'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir on his appointment as Chief of Staff, emphasized his offensive approach and noted the importance of historic opportunities facing Israel.

Defense Minister reiterates:

If there are UAVs launched, there won't be Hezbollah

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to IDF elimination of Hezbollah aerial unit terrorist, stressing that UAV launches constitutes a serious violation of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.

Defense Minister Katz:

'If Hamas stops releasing hostages there will be war'

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation today (Wednesday) in the Operations Directorate's command post and threatened: "The new Gaza war will be different in intensity."

Minister Katz:

'Whoever enters the buffer zone takes his life in his hands'

Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on footage of Gazans walking around 300 meters away from the border with Israel: 'Zero tolerance for anyone who threatens IDF forces or the fence area and the communities.'

Samaria military operation expands to Nur Shams

Security forces expand Operation Wall of Iron to include Nur Shams, IDF warns of military exercise in eastern Israel. 'We won't allow Iran to create an eastern terror front that will threaten Jewish towns in Samaria,' Defense Minister Israel Katz warns.

Defense Minister to Chief of Staff:

Reprimand intelligence chief who spoke out against Trump plan

'There will not be a situation in which IDF officers speak out against US President Trump's important plan for Gaza,' Defense Minister Israel Katz warns.

Defense Minister:

'Countries that criticized Israel must accept Gazan immigrants'

Defense Minister Israel Katz says IDF will prepare detailed plan to enable implementation of President Trump's vision for immigration of Gazans.

Defense Minister:

'Prepare to implement Trump's Gaza plan'

Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the IDF to prepare a plan for voluntary emigration of Gaza residents.

Drone threat

Watch: Defense Ministry tests advanced interception technologies

Israeli defense industries and startups demonstrated various drone interception and neutralization capabilities using both projectile-based systems and counter-drones at a testing field in southern Israel.

Defense Minister:

'We will use all our force to eliminate threats'

Defense Minister Israel Katz toured the Israeli positions in Lebanon and delivered a warning to Hezbollah that Israel would not tolerate any aggression.

Defense Min. threatens:

'One mistake - and you'll meet old friends'

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns terrorist Zakaria Zubeidi, released in prisoner swap deal, not to incite or participate in terror. 'One mistake, and you'll go to join old friends. We will not accept support for terror.'

Hegseth to Katz:

'US fully supports Israel's right to defend itself'

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds introductory call with Defense Minister Israel Katz, reaffirms the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel.

Defense Minister:

'IDF will remain in Jenin after operation ends'

Defense Minister Israel Katz declares today that the operation would soon expand to other PA cities, and that the IDF would station permanent forces to prevent terrorism returning.

Defense Minister:

'IDF will remain on Hermon peak indefinitely'

Minister Israel Katz inspects IDF positions on Hermon peak, says Israel will not return to the reality of October 7 and will not be dependent on others for its defense.

Defense Minister:

'Next Chief of Staff must lead an offensive policy'

Defense Minister, Israel Katz, concludes a round of interviews with candidates for the IDF Chief of Staff position.

Defense Minister announces 3 candidates for next Chief of Staff

Minister Israel Katz says he will interview Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, Director General of the Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, and Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, to replace outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

Minister Katz near Gaza:

'We will respond with force to every breach or threat'

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz visits reception point for returning hostages, ahead of the release of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher from Hamas captivity.

Defense Minister cancels warrants against Yesha residents

Defense Minister cites release of terrorists in hostage deal in decision to free 5 Judea and Samaria residents to their homes. 'Better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than for the families of released terrorists.'

Defense Ministry departments prepare to tend to released hostages

Defense Minister Katz and Director General Zamir have directed that all Ministry capabilities be made available for implementing the hostage release deal, receiving the returning hostages, and supporting their families.

'What Katz did was selektion'

Hostages' families attack Defense Minister over emerging deal

Family members of hostages in Gaza disrupted the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session protesting the emerging deal that will only bring some of the hostages home in its first stage.

Defense Minister Katz:

'New law to include personal sanctions on draft dodgers'

Defense Minister Israel Katz today laid out the key points of the proposed haredi draft law, among them a list of economic penalties for failure to meet enlistment goals.

Minister Katz:

'We won't let Judea and Samaria become Gaza or southern Lebanon'

Minister of Defense Israel Katz visited Judea and Samaria and met with commanders and soldiers in the region.

Minister Katz to IDF:

Plan the total destruction of Hamas if hostages are not freed

The Minister of Defense instructed the IDF to come up with a plan to completely destroy the terror organization if it does not release the hostages before US President Trump takes office.

IDF leadership, Defense Minister clash over October 7th probe

Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered IDF Chief of Staff Halevi to fully cooperate with the State Comptroller's probe into the IDF's conduct leading up to and during the October 7th Massacre.

Defense Minister:

'Growing Iranian threat in Judea and Samaria'

Defense Minister Israel Katz met with governors of Judea and Samaria and told them 'We are seeing steadily growing threats to Judea and Samaria from the Iranian axis.'

PM Netanyahu receives recommendations for defense budget

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich receive Nagel Committee recommendations for examination of the defense budget.