Israel Katz

Major Hamas commander, 10/7 architect targeted in Gaza strike

Security source says Israel has confirmed the elimination of Mohammed Odeh, the new leader of Hamas' military wing, in Gaza.

IDF:

Chief of Staff has decided to dismiss former MAG from IDF

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has decided to dismiss former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi from IDF service following suspicions against her in the Sde Teiman affair.

PM, Katz on eastern border

“Our enemies want to invade, we reinforce the defense line"

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Defense Minister held a security tour of the 96th Division area. "We take into account that our enemies want to invade, the people of Israel trust you"

Death penalty law moves toward implementation

A new military order applies Israel’s death penalty law for terrorists in Judea and Samaria, reshaping military court policy.

Israel moves to protect lone soldiers before and after service

Israel is advancing a new support framework for lone immigrant soldiers, offering guidance, crisis aid, and family assistance.

IDF targets top Hamas leader in Gaza airstrike

IDF conducts airstrike in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza. Netanyahu and Katz confirm the target was Izz al-Din al-Haddad, leader of Hamas’s military wing.

After Katz’s signature

Tally Gotliv prepares for immunity battle in the Knesset

The Defense Minister signed the document that will allow the Attorney General to prosecute MK Tally Gotliv for revealing the identity of a senior Shin Bet officer.

Ministerial comm. approves acquisition of new fighter squadrons

Israel Ministry of Defense: IDF to receive two new fighter squadrons: Ministerial Procurement Committee approves acquisition of F-35 and F-15IA squadrons.

Katz on Iran:

'We may need to act again soon'

Omer Tishler promoted to Major General ahead of assuming Air Force command, as Defense Minister warns of ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah.

Israel sanctions Hamas-linked Gaza flotilla campaign

Defense Minister Israel Katz announces sanctions targeting crowdfunding effort behind 'humanitarian' flotilla.

War against incitement:

Hamas's 'media networks' in the crosshairs

Defense Minister Katz designates five Hamas-linked media platforms as terror groups, citing Shin Bet intelligence on incitement and coordination.

Katz to UN envoy

'Naim Qassem plays with fire, Aoun gambles with Lebanon’s future'

Defense Minister to the UN envoy to Lebanon: 'There will be no ceasefire reality in Lebanon alongside attacks on our forces and the Galilee communities.'

Defense Minister

'Israel prepared to renew war against Iran - targets marked'

Defense Minister Israel Katz says following a security assessment: “We are waiting for a green light from the United States - first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty and return Iran to the Dark Ages."

Defense Min. signs $200M deal for Israeli-made aerial munitions

Israel boosts military readiness with major Elbit contract aimed at strengthening domestic weapons production and long-term security independence.

Defense Minister:

'Naim Qassem will destroy Lebanon and pay with his head'

Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke at the Memorial Day ceremony on Mt. Herzl and issued a warning both to Hezbollah and to the Lebanese government.

Smotrich In Sa-Nur:

Conquer Gaza and settle it

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich laid out his vision for Israel’s ongoing multi-front campaign during a speech reopening the town of Sa-Nur in northern Samaria.

Defense Min.: IDF will continue to hold all areas it has cleared

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to return of Lebanese to south of the Litani River, says IDF is not leaving the area.

Defense Minister:

Iran stands at a crossroads, before an abyss of ruin

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Iran faces a choice between diplomacy or severe escalation, saying Israel is ready to strike harder if threats persist.

Defense Minister

Israel is no longer under an existential threat

Israel Katz declared on Holocaust Remembrance Day that the elimination of Ali Khamenei and the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program have removed the existential threat to the State of Israel.

Minister Katz announces Operation “Silver Plow" in Lebanon

During a visit to southern Lebanon, the Defense Minister unveiled a strategy to remove the anti-tank threat: “We are taking down the houses that have become terror outposts-just like in Gaza."

Katz blasts Erdoğan: 'Paper tiger' fueling antisemitism

Defense Minister Israel Katz slams Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan, 'man who massacred Kurds,' for hypocrisy in criticizing Israel.

'Hezbollah stunned & confused'

Defense Minister unveils plan in southern Lebanon

The Defense Minister presented an operational plan including four lines in southern Lebanon. According to him, “The Hezbollah terrorist organization is desperate for a ceasefire."

Defense Minister: We dealt severe blow to Iran's economy

IAF destroys Iran's largest petrochemical facility, crippling its export ability; Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Iran against continuing to target civilians.

Defense Min. warns: We'll collapse Iran's national infrastructure

Defense Minister Israel Katz holds situational assessment, reveals Iran's petrochemical industry brought the IRGC $18b over the course of two years.

Goal in Lebanon changed? Defense Minister hits back

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to report claiming Israel unable to disarm Hezbollah, says goals for Lebanon war have not changed, are unrelated to war against Iran.

Defense minister:

'IDF will hold security zone in Lebanon up to the Litani'

Defense Minister Israel Katz says that Israel’s objectives in Lebanon include maintaining security control up to the Litani River, adding that 'all homes in villages near the border in Lebanon will be demolished.'

Defense Minister threatens IRGC: 'IDF will hunt you down'

Defense Minister Israel Katz attends situational assessment, praises IDF for eliminating IRGC Navy Commander. 'Man directly responsible for the terror activity in Strait of Hormuz blown up and eliminated.'

Dramatic increase in scope of strikes on Iran

IDF data reveals number of strikes in Iran over four times higher than during 2025's Operation Rising Lion; new list of targets approved.

Defense Minister: War will escalate, IDF and home front are ready

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns war against Iran will escalate, stresses IRGC advancing terror attacks and missile launches against Israel.

Israel warns Syria of 'more powerful' strikes

IDF strikes Syrian regime targets following violence against Syrian Druze, warns of escalation if violence continues.

Watch:

The grandmother who explains Israel to the world

Eliana Passentin, mother of eight and grandmother of four, public diplomacy officer, moved Defense Minister Israel Katz when she shared her daily discussions with foreign officials.

Defense Minister: Attacks are escalating, surprises coming

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns strikes on Iran are escalating, Israel will continue eliminating key figures. 'Significant surprises expected over the course of the day.'

Minister Katz:

'Larijani and Soleimani joined Khamenei in the depths of hell'

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday morning that two senior Iranian figures were eliminated overnight, following a situation assessment with top Israel Defense Forces officials.

Katz orders: Return “Force 100" soldiers to service

Defense Minister Israel Katz met with Force 100 soldiers in his office after the indictment against them was dropped and ordered action to restore them to reserve service.

Defense Minister declares:

Shiites won't return to south of Litani River

Defense Minister Israel Katz sends warning message to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, promising he will 'soon meet Hassan Nasrallah and Ali Khamanei in the depths of hell.'

Defense Minister urges Iranians to take to the streets

'Global and regional struggle against Iran is escalating, final stretch to their defeat will continue as long as necessary,' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz promises.

The Defense Minister's dire warning to Lebanese leaders

Defense Minister in situational assessment: "The destruction of the bridge over the Litani is just the beginning. Lebanon failed to dismantle Hezbollah and will pay an increasing price."

Defense Minister threatens: We'll conquer areas of Lebanon

'If Lebanese government cannot control the area and prevent Hezbollah from firing towards Israel, we will do it ourselves," Defense Minister Israel Katz warns.

Defense Min.: Iran’s leadership 'fleeing like rats into tunnels'

Defense Minister Israel Katz says operation against Iran will continue without time limits, as Israeli and US forces intensify strikes on Revolutionary Guard and Basij targets across the country.

Investigation:

Who leaked Iran attack plans to Israeli TV?

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the security establishment has opened an investigation after the planned timing of the Iran strike was reportedly leaked to media.

Defense Minister in the North

'Opportunity to strike Hezbollah'

The Minister of Defense was informed of the assassination of the commander of Hezbollah's "Naser" unit and of the massive movement of over a million Lebanese who abandoned the southern part of the country.

Defense Minister in a message to the residents of the north

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security assessment at and said residents of northern Israel should not leave their homes, IDF has reinforced forces inside enemy territory and expanded to additional positions it captured.

US backing: Continue to the end, we're with you

US-Israel cooperation against Iran Is changing history, Defense Minister Israel Katz tells US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Minister Katz reveals:

Iran operation moved up months ahead of schedule

Defense Minister Israel Katz says the Iran operation was originally planned for mid-year but was advanced due to developments and US coordination.

Defense Minister:

Any successor to Khameini is a target

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that any leader appointed by the Iranian regime will be a target for elimination.

Defense Minister: We have severed the head of the Iranian octopus

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to joint US-Israel strikes on Iran: 'We severed the head of the Iranian octopus, and now we are acting to crush and cut off its tentacles.'

Defense Min.:

Those who follow Khamenei's footsteps end up like him

Defense Minister Israel Katz visits Air Force Operations Center, warns Hezbollah leader that he will follow Iran's Supreme leader to 'the bottom of hell.'

Defense Minister: Hezbollah chief now a marked target

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Hezbollah will pay a 'heavy price,' terror group's Secretary-General Naim Qassem now a target marked for elimination.

Defense Minister:

Any enemy who tries to interfere will pay a heavy price

Defense Minister Israel Katz stresses goal of Iran strike to remove 'immediate threat' to Israel's security, global and regional stability.

How Hamas works to incite unrest - from Turkey

Defense Minister Israel Katz signs order designating Hamas-linked networks as terror groups to curb online incitement during Ramadan.

1st time since 1967

Cabinet approves renewal of land registration in Yesha

The government has approved the proposal by Ministers Levin, Smotrich, and Katz to renew land registration procedures in Judea and Samaria after decades.

Cabinet moves to change legal statuses in Judea and Samaria

The cabinet approved a series of significant decisions affecting the settlements that change the legal and civil reality in Judea and Samaria, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Chief of Staff appoints special envoy to the Pentagon

While Defense Minister Katz is blocking the appointment of the military attaché in Washington, IDF Chief of Staff Zamir has appointed a special envoy for security coordination with the US.

Cabinet expands benefits for reservists by NIS 6 billion

The government has approved an aid and benefits plan for reserve service members for the coming year, totaling 6.2 billion shekels.

Defense Minister orders immediate enforcement for burning garbage

Amendment to security order to prevent burning garbage signed, allowing aggressive enforcement.

Israel declares Iranian bank a terrorist organization

The Minister of Defense has signed a declaration against Iran’s Bank Melli, which serves as a key conduit for transferring funds to the Revolutionary Guards and the Quds Force.

Western Wall stone returned to Jerusalem

Defense Minister Israel Katz orders that a stone from the Western Wall, placed at the Kirya military complex in Tel Aviv, to be transferred to a designated geniza site alongside other Western Wall stones.

Defense Minister intensifies war against burning garbage

Amendment to security order to allow improved enforcement, deter environmental offenders.

10/7 in Judea and Samaria

Defense Minister's warning: Prepare for an attack

Defense Minister Israel Katz said sustained IDF operations cut terror by over 80%, ordering preparations for possible October 7-style attacks in Judea and Samaria.

First time in 25 years:

Historic: Jews to be allowed at Joseph's Tomb even during daytime

Defense Minister Israel Katz approves Jewish visitors to Joseph's Tomb during daylight hours, in first since the year 2000.