Israel Katz

Defense Minister Katz warns of assassination against Houthi leader and bans Lebanese return in southern Lebanon amid military readiness.

Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ pushed back on reports that new limits had been placed on IDF activity in Lebanon, saying the forces are continuing to operate against threats: "Protecting the lives of our soldiers and our civilians is an absolute top priority."

Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ spoke at the Defense Ministry awards ceremony and stressed: "If Iran attacks Israel, it will absorb a heavy blow." He also addressed the fighting against Hezbollah: "We continue to strike everywhere."

After Hezbollah fired toward Israeli territory, the IDF struck targets in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. The strike was carried out on the instructions of Israel’s political leadership and was described as a direct response to the fire from Lebanese territory.

After the United States announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Israel’s political system responded fast. Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ praised what he called a major diplomatic achievement and even raised the possibility of a future peace deal, while National Security Minister איתמר בן גביר warned that Hezbollah would only grow stronger.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi will be dismissed from the IDF. At this stage, the process does not include a rank reduction.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel may act again against Iran to complete the campaign’s objectives. He also sent a tough message to Hezbollah about the fighting in Lebanon and the drone threat: "The homes in the first line of villages used for terror activity are being destroyed at this very moment."

A push for munitions self-reliance: multi-year purchases from Elbit aim to boost immediate readiness and build long-term Israeli production capacity for a challenging security decade.

At a Mount Herzl ceremony in Jerusalem, Israel Katz outlined the IDF’s posture in southern Lebanon, said Israel will strike "even during the cease-fire" to protect troops, and touted significant blows to Iran. Memorial Day observances continue nationwide with a two-minute siren at 11 a.m., followed by ceremonies across the country.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel Katz says Iran’s nuclear program and its ability to produce a nuclear weapon have been destroyed, and that the U.S. and Israel require the removal of enriched material from Iran as a precondition to ending the campaign; he adds that Tehran’s proxies have been dealt heavy blows but vows to finish the job.

Iran and Russia denounce the strike as a breach of international law; the IDF details overnight raids on missile-production sites in Tehran; Defense Minister Israel Katz vows the campaign will intensify.