Security cabinet

Smotrich, Netanyahu quarrel over law banning release of senior terrorists during exchange deals

The absence of such a law places "every Israeli citizen, at home and abroad, under a real threat of abduction," argued Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

|ByAVI SOLOMON
Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attends a press briefing during an EU-Jordan summit in Amman, Jordan, January 8, 2026; illustrative.

Foreign ministers from Muslim, Arab countries denounce Israeli West Bank bill to expand control

A group of Arab and Muslim states condemned Israel’s latest Security Cabinet decisions on West Bank land policy, planning authority, and enforcement powers.

|ByJAMES GENN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 5, 2026

Netanyahu urged ‘cooling the arenas’ days before Oct. 7, classified summary shows

In one section, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu instructed officials to promote a civilian arrangement with Hamas and expand the use of humanitarian tools as leverage over Hamas policy.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
View of the Judean desert, in the West Bank, February 6, 2026.

Security Cabinet approves measures expanding Israeli control in West Bank

Newly approved measures will remove land-sale restrictions, expand enforcement in Areas A and B, and renew state-led land acquisition in the West Bank.

|ByPESACH BENSON/TPS

Trump expected to announce Phase II of Gaza ceasefire despite conditions not being met - exclusive

This comes despite the return of all the hostages held in Gaza being a key tenet of the first phase of the ceasefire. The remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili remain in captivity.

JANUARY 14, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN, SAM HALPERN
US President Donald Trump takes questions from the members of the press aboard Air Force One on January 11, 2026 en route back to the White House from Palm Beach, Florida.

Netanyahu convenes Israel's security cabinet on Gaza ceasefire's Phase II

Israel’s Security Cabinet met to discuss Phase II of the Gaza peace plan amid ongoing Iranian protests. The progression hinges on Hamas disarming and returning the remains of the final hostage.

JANUARY 13, 2026ByJAMES GENN, AMICHAI STEIN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a security cabinet meeting on April 6, 2023

Israel will achieve peace with Iran one day, Netanyahu tells cabinet during protests

PM: Israel strongly condemns mass slaughter of innocent civilians • Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee also set for Iran discussion

JANUARY 11, 2026ByYEHUDA SHLEZINGER, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the opening of the government meeting on January 4, 2026.

PM Netanyahu briefs Security Cabinet on Trump meeting, Iran

The meeting, called by Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday, ended after several hours and included discussions over the situation in Iran.

JANUARY 4, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the opening of the government meeting on January 4, 2026.

WATCH: IAF kills Hezbollah military chief in most aggressive strike since 2024 ceasefire

"Netanyahu ordered the strike on the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff," the Prime Minister's Office confirmed.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB, AMICHAI STEIN, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Haytham Ali Tabatabai.

Security cabinet to establish team to implement second phase of Trump's Gaza plan

Members of the team will reportedly include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, according to Israeli media.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Two residents walk past twisted metal and destroyed buildings in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on November 18, 2025.

Israeli security cabinet meets to discuss Hezbollah's strengthening

"This is a significant discussion in light of Hezbollah's actions on the ground," an Israeli official said.

OCTOBER 30, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
Hezbollah supporters gather to mark the first anniversary of the assassinations of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, in Tehran, Iran, October 2, 2025

'There is dialogue for new peace agreements,' Mossad's Barnea said in security meeting

The comments were made during the Security Cabinet's meeting on Thursday, in which the ceasefire agreement was approved.

OCTOBER 13, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mossad chief David Barnea attends a Conference of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), in Tel Aviv, on February 25, 2025.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will leave Israeli government -report

Dermer will leave his post but will "remain around," Netanyahu reportedly told his advisers.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025ByAVI SOLOMON, YEHUDA SHLEZINGER
Head of the negotiations for hostages release Minister Ron Dermer speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.

Sa'ar confirms: Israel gives green light to Trump's hostage deal proposal - watch

Sa'ar also said the end of the war must be in accordance with the principles established by the security cabinet.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in a meeting with Croatia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb, September 9, 2025.