Israel Katz
Israel Katz is the Defense Minister of Israel.
Notable Quotes
"If Iran attacks Israel due to the events in Lebanon — we will attack it with all our might and clearly demonstrate to it the power gaps."View Story →
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are pursuing a clear policy under which the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an unlimited period of time."View Story →
"The country would keep troops in southern Lebanon indefinitely."View Story →
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that states that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza — indefinitely — in order ..."View Story →
"The security zone in southern Lebanon would be cleared of local residents."View Story →
"forces would remain in the country indefinitely."View Story →
"Israel opposes withdrawing from areas it currently occupies in southern Lebanon regardless of diplomatic pressure."View Story →
""pre-emptive" attack"View Story →
"The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel."View Story →
"The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel."View Story →
"Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the state of Israel."View Story →
"We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions."View Story →
"Khamenei was eliminated by Israel because he had threatened its existence."View Story →
"Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel’s destruction... will be a certain target for assassination."View Story →
"Very soon, Dahiyeh will resemble Khan Younis."View Story →
"Khamenei’s successors will be unequivocal targets for elimination."View Story →
"is now mandated to advance and take control of new positions in Lebanon to prevent fire on border communities."View Story →
"Israel would pay a 'very heavy price' if it fails to disarm Hezbollah."View Story →
"You pledged to uphold the agreement and disarm Hezbollah - and this is not happening. Do and act, before we do even more."View Story →
"The Lebanese government has failed to meet commitments to disarm Hezbollah."View Story →
"The operation will continue without any time limit, as long as required, until we accomplish all objectives and achieve victory in the campaign."View Story →
"Both security official Ali Larijani and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani were 'eliminated last night.'"View Story →
"Both security official Ali Larijani and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani were 'eliminated last night.'"View Story →
"The bridges were targeted in a direct action against Hezbollah's use of Lebanon's state infrastructure to advance terrorist activity."View Story →
"Israel would not allow the Syrian government to 'exploit' the wider regional war to target Druze communities, and would strike 'with even greater force' if necessary."View Story →
"Israeli forces had been instructed to destroy the crossings over the Litani river."View Story →
"Israeli forces had been instructed to destroy the crossings over the Litani river that were being used by Hezbollah to send reinforcements."View Story →
"The principle is clear: there is terror and missiles, no homes and no residents - and the IDF is inside."View Story →
"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani."View Story →
"All houses in villages near the Lebanese border will be destroyed, in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, to permanently remove the threats near the border to northern residents."View Story →
"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish a security zone inside Lebanon — a line of defence against anti-tank missiles — and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani River."View Story →
"All houses in villages near the Lebanese border will be destroyed, in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, in order to permanently remove the threats near the border to northern residents."View Story →
"the IDF will position itself in a security zone inside Lebanon—along the defensive line against anti-tank missiles—and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani River."View Story →
"the more than 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who were evacuated would be 'completely prohibited south of the Litani until the safety and security of northern Israeli residents is ensured.'"View Story →
"houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished."View Story →
"Israel had 'just carried out a powerful strike on the largest petrochemical facility in Iran.'"View Story →
"The largest concentrated blow Hezbollah has suffered since the pager operation."View Story →
Related Stories
Huge crowds fill Tehran streets for Khamenei's funeral procession
Many people were waving Iranian flags and red banners symbolising vengeance for the former supreme leader's war death.
July 6, 2026US says it has agreed to 'stand down' after exchange of strikes with Iran
A series of strikes over the weekend saw the US and Iran accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
June 29, 2026Israel strikes southern Lebanon as Hezbollah condemns new deal
Strikes have killed at least one person, state media say a day after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement.
June 27, 2026Fragile quiet in Lebanon as US-Iran truce leaves unanswered questions
Many Lebanese remain doubtful that the agreement could finally mean the end of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
June 16, 2026Trump says deal to end war with Iran already signed and details to be released 'pretty soon'
Trump says Strait of Hormuz will be open from Friday but there is still confusion about the exact contents of the agreement.
June 16, 2026Lebanon fighting eases after US-Iran deal - Reuters
Lebanon fighting eases after US-Iran deal Reuters
June 15, 2026Unclear if US-Iran agreement will provide respite to Lebanon
Pakistan says the deal includes Lebanon, but recent ceasefires there have failed to take hold.
June 15, 2026US, Iran reach agreement to end war, signing set for Friday - Reuters
US, Iran reach agreement to end war, signing set for Friday Reuters
June 14, 2026Israel attacks Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs - Reuters
Israel attacks Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs Reuters
June 14, 2026The nuclear challenge at the heart of Trump's Iran negotiations
US officials say the deal will lead to the destruction of Iran's enriched uranium, but details are still to be worked out.
June 13, 2026Has Trump lost control of the Iran war?
For the first time since the start of a precarious ceasefire two months ago, Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes.
June 8, 2026Lebanon thought there was a ceasefire - then Israel unleashed deadly blitz
Israel says Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire the US agreed to halt the war with Iran.
April 9, 2026Lebanon strikes, peace talks and the 'Ketamine Queen' - Reuters
Lebanon strikes, peace talks and the 'Ketamine Queen' Reuters
April 9, 2026Israel carries out large wave of air strikes across Lebanon
Attacks hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley hours after a US-Iran ceasefire was announced.
April 8, 2026Mum of twins who says home was bombed in Lebanon speaks to BBC
More than one million people in Lebanon have been displaced since the start of the war as Israel expands its ground operation there.
April 7, 2026Lebanese army says soldier killed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon - Reuters
Lebanese army says soldier killed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon Reuters
April 5, 2026Israel strikes Beirut, US warns Iran may hit Lebanese universities - Reuters
Israel strikes Beirut, US warns Iran may hit Lebanese universities Reuters
April 3, 2026Israel intensifies Lebanon attacks and hits areas not in Hezbollah's control
Attacks have continued as Israel has announced its intention to control swathes of south Lebanon.
April 1, 2026Israel says it will keep control over part of southern Lebanon after war with Hezbollah ends
Defence Minister Israel Katz also says houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border will be demolished.
March 31, 2026Israel to destroy 'all houses' near Lebanon border, defence minister says - Reuters
Israel to destroy 'all houses' near Lebanon border, defence minister says Reuters
March 31, 2026Israel says it will take control of large buffer zone in southern Lebanon
Thousands of displaced Lebanese residents will not be allowed to return home until northern Israel is safe, he says.
March 24, 2026Why is Israel targeting Lebanon's bridges?
Israeli forces have been instructed to destroy the crossings over the Litani river that were being used by Hezbollah to send reinforcements.
March 22, 2026Israel to expand ground and air attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon
There are fears in Lebanon that Israel is preparing for a large-scale ground invasion.
March 22, 2026Iran targeted but did not hit Diego Garcia base with missiles, WSJ reports - Reuters
Iran targeted but did not hit Diego Garcia base with missiles, WSJ reports Reuters
March 21, 2026Israel strikes Syria after Druze clashes
Syria condemned the strikes on weapons sites and government infrastructure as an "outrageous" assault on Syria's sovereignty.
March 20, 2026Israel destroys river bridges in southern Lebanon
The health ministry says that 968 people, including more than 100 children, have been killed since 2 March.
March 18, 2026Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib killed in air strike
Israel said it had killed Khatib, whose death was confirmed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.
March 18, 2026Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani killed, Iranian media reports - Reuters
Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani killed, Iranian media reports Reuters
March 17, 2026Trump tells Axios war in Iran will end soon, 'practically nothing left' to target - Reuters
Trump tells Axios war in Iran will end soon, 'practically nothing left' to target Reuters
March 11, 2026Lebanon calls for talks with Israel on plan to end Hezbollah conflict
President Aoun outlines a path towards "permanent security and stability", as Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah continue.
March 10, 2026Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains
Overnight, one Israeli operation saw at least 41 people killed and 40 injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
March 7, 2026Hezbollah saw new war with Israel as inevitable and rearmed for months, sources say - Reuters
Hezbollah saw new war with Israel as inevitable and rearmed for months, sources say Reuters
March 6, 2026Israeli evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs sparks panic
Huge traffic jams form after the unprecedented warning for people to leave the Hezbollah stronghold, as Israel steps up its strikes across Lebanon.
March 5, 2026Iran postpones Khamenei funeral as US-Israeli bombardment continues
An official says more preparations are needed for the three-day ceremony in Tehran, where the supreme leader will lie in state.
March 4, 2026Israeli military says Iranian missiles hit central Israel - Reuters
Israeli military says Iranian missiles hit central Israel Reuters
March 3, 2026Israel strikes Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket fire as Iran conflict widens
Lebanese officials say 52 people were killed by Israeli strikes, while there are no reports of casualties in Israel.
March 2, 2026Watch: Smoke rises in Tehran as explosions heard across country
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Jerusalem reports as Trump says "major combat operations" have begun.
February 28, 2026US and Israel launch "pre-emptive" attack against Iran - Reuters
US and Israel launch "pre-emptive" attack against Iran Reuters
February 28, 2026