US Air Force fighter jets and bombers took off from Israeli air bases to carry out strikes on Iran in recent weeks, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in an interview with right-wing TV outlet Channel 14’s “Bitchonistim” on Tuesday.
“The Iranians know” that the jets have taken off from Israel to strike Iran, Katz said.
“The arrogant empire that threatened to destroy Israel has collapsed,” Katz added.
“We announced in the clearest terms that if Israel is fired upon, we will attack with all our might. We are prepared to strike Iran,” Katz warned.
On Monday and Tuesday, the IDF intercepted at least three drones in the Jordanian border region. A source told The Jerusalem Post that the drones were likely launched by Iran-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq. “We know how to manage things, and we are prepared,” Katz said when asked about these developments.
Netanyahu, Trump's Washington meeting will include discussing Iran, Katz confirms
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington will discuss Iran, and the “US has interests in Iran that exceed those of Israel,” Katz said.
“Trump understands that Israel will not withdraw from buffer zones in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria,” Katz stated.
“I visited Gaza a week ago; there are still huge tunnels there,” he continued.
“The right timing [to discuss establishing settlements in the Gaza Strip] is the moment it is announced that Hamas did not comply with the ceasefire agreement,” he said.
Katz was also asked about the threat of Turkey and its rhetoric against Israel. “The Muslim Brotherhood axis could be very dangerous... we are responsible for protecting our interests. I suggest to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan not to mess with us,” Katz told Channel 14.
Ben-Gvir says he will not join Netanyahu government without judicial reform
In another Channel 14 interview on Tuesday with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister claimed that the National Security Ministry would remain under the control of his Otzma Yehudit party.
He also stated that he would not be joining Netanyahu’s government without judicial reform, specifically calling out that Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara had been “ousted,” but “they are still inviting her to meetings.”
Ben-Gvir also discussed his reforms in the Israel Police and prison services, saying that, under his leadership, “the police are more free to shoot,” and “terrorists are afraid to enter Israeli prisons.”
He also said that he believed the IDF should have fewer restrictions on opening fire.
“I think that the IDF also needs to be more free against people who throw rocks and Molotov cocktails,” he said, adding, “It isn’t to kill for no reason, but to protect the lives of our citizens. I expect IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth to enable this.”
Amichai Stein and Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.