Israeli Defence Minister says military operations do Not require opposition or judicial approval

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the government does not require approval from the political opposition or judicial authorities to direct military operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria or Iran, rejecting calls to limit major security decisions during Israel’s political transition.

Katz asserted that the prime minister and defence minister retain the authority to issue military directives despite ongoing negotiations over the formation of a new government.

He said this authority extends to ordering targeted killings in Gaza, conducting defensive and offensive operations in Lebanon, maintaining a security zone in Syria to protect communities in the occupied Golan Heights, and continuing military operations in the West Bank.

Katz also referred to an Israeli military operation in a neighbourhood of Hebron, claiming that efforts to remove armed militants had produced a stronger deterrent effect than initially anticipated.

Regarding Iran, Katz said Israel had demonstrated “firmness and sound judgment” in its security decisions, acting in full coordination with the Israeli military.

He indicated that this approach would continue whenever necessary.

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The defence minister stressed that Israel’s security responsibilities were not suspended during the political transition and should not depend on the outcome of negotiations to establish a new government.

He maintained that the prime minister and defence minister remain responsible for directing the military and protecting Israeli citizens, subject to existing oversight arrangements.

“This has been the case, and so it shall remain in the future,” Katz said.

His remarks followed warnings from Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and the politician tasked with forming Israel’s next government, against taking major security decisions before a new administration is established.

Eisenkot argued that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently heads a transitional government that no longer commands the confidence of a parliamentary majority.

He warned that deploying security forces without a clearly defined strategy and explicit political mandate could have serious consequences for Israeli democracy and public confidence in state institutions.

Eisenkot also urged Netanyahu to convene the heads of Israel’s security agencies and provide clear guidance regarding their responsibilities during the transition.

The exchange highlights disagreements over the authority of Israel’s outgoing government to undertake significant military operations while negotiations to form a new governing coalition remain underway.

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