Israel Katz
Israel Katz is an Israeli lawmaker and member of the Likud Party. He currently serves as the country's defense minister, having previously served as this government's foreign minister and energy minister.
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.
IDF strikes Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks
The last time the IDF responded to almost regular Houthi missile attacks on Israel was July 7, with that attack having little impact on ending attacks from Yemen.
Defense Minister Katz pushes bill improving IDF soldiers' conditions
'Syrian Jihadist groups' targeting Druze today will target Israel tomorrow, Katz tells Ted Cruz
Israel to boost defense spending by NIS 42 b. in light of multi-front wars
Katz flying to DC to meet with Hegseth on Iran, weapons
Katz is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to discuss Iran and various other weaponry and strategic security issues.
Netanyahu: 'My Druze brothers, do not cross the border into Syria, let the IDF do its job'
Israeli officials react to the ongoing violence in Syria's Sweida between regime forces and the local Druze community.
Katz: IDF to raise level of attacks on Syrian regime if it doesn't leave Druze city
As of Wednesday morning, clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed just hours after a ceasefire was announced.
'I asked for a realistic plan': Netanyahu pushes IDF for alternatives to Gaza humanitarian city
The IDF also presented the timeline for establishing the humanitarian city, where Israel would move 600,000 Palestinians, and is estimated to take several months, and possibly up to a year to build.
Former PM Ehud Olmert calls Katz's humanitarian city plan a 'concentration camp'
Katz recently said that the Defense Ministry would build a new 'humanitarian city' in the Rafah area for at least 600,000 Palestinians.
In 'direct message' to Khamenei, Katz warns Iran of Israel's 'destructive power'
The defense minister said that there is no place in Iran for Islamic Regime officials who harm Israel to hide.
'A stalemate': Hamas objects to Israel's concessions on IDF troop deployment in Gaza
Netanyahu met with families of the hostages in Washington Wednesday night, saying that tremendous efforts are being made to bring everyone back.
'Etched in our hearts forever': Netanyahu, Israeli officials mourn five soldiers killed in Gaza
The entire People of Israel bows its head in mourning for the fall of our heroic fighters, who risked their lives in the battle to defeat Hamas and free all our hostages," Netanyahu remarked.
Israel's target bank in Iran expanded after US showed interest in joining strikes, Katz reveals
On June 18, Trump said he would give Iran two weeks to agree to a proper nuclear deal. However, later that evening, he told Netanyahu that he had already decided to attack.
Katz: Continuing war in uncontrolled Gaza territory would unnecessarily endanger hostages
This contradicts statements from other ministers who called for a complete victory over Gaza and against a partial deal.
US must pressure Iran against rebuilding ballistic missile arsenal, Israel Katz says
Israeli military and intelligence resources must be even more concerned with the ballistic missile program than its nuclear program, the defense minister said.