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.

Hamas claims group submitted ceasefire response, anti-Druze, antisemitic hate speech online rises

Canada calls for immediate UN-aid resumption • Rubio discusses Syrian ceasefire, Gaza Strip, West Bank security situation with Jordanian counterpart

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Defense Minister Israel Katz during a situational assessment held with senior Israeli military leaders on July 22, 2025.

Defense Minister discusses potential for renewed campaign against Iran

Palestinians walking at the market in Gaza City, on July 21, 2025.

Israeli Medical Association urges more medical equipment, aid to Gazans in letter to Katz

 An IAF jet takes off to carry out a counterstrike against Yemen on May 5, 2025.

IDF strikes Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks


Defense Minister Katz pushes bill improving IDF soldiers' conditions

According to Katz, the bill will improve the service of all soldiers, "who fight like lions for Israel's security."

 Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a state memorial ceremony for Operation Protective Edge at the National Memorial Hall at the entrance to the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, July 6, 2025

'Syrian Jihadist groups' targeting Druze today will target Israel tomorrow, Katz tells Ted Cruz

Defense Minister Israel Katz said southern Syria would remain a demilitarized zone despite Israel allegedly allowing Syrian forces a limited presence in Sweida.

 Defense Minister Israel Katz meets with Senator Ted Cruz to discuss Syria.

Israel to boost defense spending by NIS 42 b. in light of multi-front wars

The Director-General of the ministry, Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram said that this move would allow the ministry to replenish consumed stocks of weapons and ammunition. 

 An Israeli APC manoeuvres next to other military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 16, 2025.

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.

 DEFENSE MINISTER Israel Katz appears at a committee meeting in the Knesset on Tuesday.

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.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with a map of the Middle East (Illustrative).

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.

 Smoke rises as Syrian security forces walk along a street after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

'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.

 IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz seen during a military briefing, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 30, 2025

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.

 Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert testifies during a hearing of the civil investigative committee on the October 7 massacre, in Tel Aviv, August 8, 2024.

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 mock skull representing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is held up by a person during a protest against the Iranian government, outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, US, June 23, 2025.

'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.

Flames rise in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 9, 2025

'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.

 IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, July 6, 2025.