Tension has escalated between Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz and army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi over State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman’s probe into the 7 October attack and the subsequent war against the Palestinians in Gaza.
Katz said yesterday that he had ordered Halevi to cooperate fully with the State Comptroller as well as finish the army’s own investigation within the next three months. Katz also warned that he will not approve new senior army appointments before the investigations are completed.
The spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, Daniel Hagari, responded to Katz’s statement, claiming that the army is conducting a series of comprehensive investigations to improve the state’s and citizens’ defence. However, he added that the main focus is the war in Gaza and Lebanon, and therefore progress is subject to the burden of combat.
“The IDF is cooperating fully with the State Comptroller, although such an oversight has never been conducted during a war. Currently, 18 IDF controller investigations are underway,” said Hagari, noting that once concluded, all investigation results will be handed to Englman. “The IDF is committed to conducting qualitative investigations instead of carrying them out quickly and will do everything in its power to complete them as professionally and quickly as possible.”
The army statement concluded with a veiled criticism of Katz’s statement, saying that, “Issues should be resolved through dialogue between the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Staff, not through the media.”
Katz’s spokesman Adir Dahan issued a veiled threat to Hagari over the army’s response. “The IDF spokesman, who apologised not long ago for exceeding his authority, and attacking the political echelon, again exceeds his authority, attacks and preaches morality to the political echelon,” said Dahan. “An apology this time will not be enough.”
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