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.
"We will not allow the Palestinian Authority to continue rewarding terrorists for murdering and harming Israeli citizens," Katz said.
In response, the IDF told The Jerusalem Post that only 13,500 Palestinians have been evacuated.
Netanyahu will meet with Defense Ministry officials on Saturday night to review the prisoner release and hostage deal.
Baram has served in the IDF for 37 years, and is currently serving as IDF Deputy Chief of Staff. His appointment is still subject to approval from the government.
The IDF said that the Lebanese army is doing better than ever before and is surprisingly confronting Hezbollah in some instances but that its performance is still far below where it needs to be.
The military "will continue to enforce with strength and without compromise against any Hezbollah violation – we are determined to ensure full security for all northern communities."
"The one thing that President Trump has done, he started a discussion that was long overdue," US Senator Lindsey Graham said, saying that Arab states had "woken up" to find a better alternative.
Should some Gazan Palestinians want to leave, Israel and the IDF will help facilitate their leaving via a mix of land, air, and sea transport options.
When Israel's defense minister demands the IDF Chief of Staff reprimand its chief for presenting security assessments about Gaza plans, he undermines the very system designed to keep Israel safe.
Defense Minister Israel Katz appointed Yadai as IDF deputy chief on Friday after his initial refusal.