Israel’s Defense Minister Declares Unilateral Authority for Military Operations

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israel‘s caretaker Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not need external consent to decide on new military operations. This statement comes amidst calls for restraint from within the country’s political sphere.

Katz made these remarks in response to Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party and tasked with forming Israel’s new government, who had urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint. “We do not need the approval of the opposition or any legal entity for the army to conduct attacks on any of the fronts where it is currently operating,” Katz wrote on his social media account on the platform ‘X’.

He further claimed, “We have demonstrated our resolve, wisdom, and foresight in dealing with Iran, and this was done in full coordination with the Israeli army. We will continue with this approach according to the circumstances.”

Previously, Eisenkot had appealed to Netanyahu for restraint, warning that the use of military force without a “direct and immediate threat” could lead to “dire consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in state institutions.” During his election campaign, Netanyahu had repeatedly threatened to resume hostilities with Iran, even sharing an image of a nuclear bomb destroying Tel Aviv.

Eisenkot and Netanyahu held a two-hour meeting on Thursday. A brief joint statement indicated that Netanyahu and his military attaché had briefed Eisenkot on Israel’s security and diplomatic challenges, and they agreed to continue consultations.

Neither the broad coalition led by Eisenkot, comprising parties from left to center, nor Netanyahu’s coalition, composed of far-right and religious factions, managed to secure a majority of Knesset seats in the October 27 elections.