Israel Katz is an Israeli lawmaker and member of the Likud Party. He currently serves as the country's foreign minister after serving as energy minister for two years in a rotation deal with Eli Cohen.
Katz has served many other ministerial roles in the past, specifically as transportation minister, agriculture minister, intelligence minister, and finance minister.
He is considered a hardliner in Israeli politics regarding peace and security, supporting settlements and West Bank annexation, but has also advocated for the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian entity.
Hagari said that his statements "overstepped" his authority and that he was rightfully reprimanded for them
Katz's comments came just hours after the Israeli air force intercepted a drone launched from Yemen that was headed toward Israel.
If there is a major Iranian strike or counter-strike against Israel, the IDF is on the hot seat for failing to prevent hits.
Katz arrived at the premises at 9:30 p.m., approved the operation, and left, according to the reports.
Katz also threatened Halevi that he would freeze all potential high command appointments until he receives the probe results.
According to Reuters, the ceasefire deal is expected to be signed in the coming days, sources briefed on the talks reported.
Katz's statement comes following an N12 report which claims Katz told a US official that Israel was not interested in controlling Gaza after the war.
“There are all kinds of talk about agreements behind the committee’s back. There is no such thing as behind the back of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee,” Edelstein said.
While speaking to the committee of former National Security Council chief Yaakov Nagel, Katz warned of being taken in prematurely by the HTS group.
Mediators believe that if a limited deal is indeed struck, with the release of hostages, it will result in a dynamic that will ultimately lead to a full deal that will end the war.
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