Defense Ministry

Defense Minister: Counterterrorism law allows seizure of Gaza flotilla's property

Defense Minister Israel Katz cites Section 56(b) of the Counterterrorism Law to explain the seizure of property linked to terrorist activities, as the Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail for Gaza.

A vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, pictured April 12, 2026; illustrative.
Amer Hujirat.

Amer Hujirat, Defense Ministry civilian contractor, killed in Hezbollah drone attack in Lebanon

Smoke and fire rise from a controlled landmine explosion in northern Golan Heights, on the Syrian border, April 17, 2024; illustrative.

WATCH: Israel's Defense Ministry detonates 700 landmines near Syrian border

(illustrative) A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet performs during the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA on the opening day at Schoenefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany June 5, 2024.

Preserving Israel’s military edge: Strategic steps for the Defense Ministry - opinion


Iran-linked hackers claim to expose alleged Israeli drone engineers, offer $30,000 bounties

Cyber group Handala claimed to have acquired the names of engineers involved in Israel’s drone programs, a day after threatening Israeli politicians.

 Israeli drone.

IDF appoints Arik Ben-Dov as new acting IDF US defense attache

Brig. Gen. Arik Ben Dov has officially assumed the role of the military's acting defense attache to the US, replacing IDF Maj. Gen. Hadi Zilberman.

IDF, Border Police conduct large-scale counterterrorism operation in Kalkilya, December 4, 2025.

Defense Ministry treating 82,400 wounded soldiers and veterans, up 22,000 since start of war

Out of the new additions, 58% are being treated for mental health concerns.

A military helicopter evacuating wounded IDF soldiers from the Gaza Strip to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, May 15, 2024; illustrative.

Netanyahu letting Katz, Zamir battle over shaping IDF General Staff - analysis

What began as a political alliance has evolved into a deeper fight over control of the IDF, with Netanyahu and Katz pushing changes Zamir views as overreach.

 IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz seen during a military briefing, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 30, 2025

From the NSA to Israeli defense tech, Mike Rogers isn’t slowing down

DEFENSE AFFAIRS: Former NSA director Mike Rogers discusses why Israel’s security challenges are redefining the next era of defense technology.

SPEAKING TO Defense & Tech, Admiral (ret.) Mike Rogers noted that the adaptability and creativity of Israeli entrepreneurs mirrored the urgency of their national security environment. Here, Rogers speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 at Moscone Convention Center, in 2019.

Defense Minister Katz moves to extend IDF service to 36 months

In the statement, Katz indicated that combat soldiers and other conscripts who are already serving and scheduled to complete their service during 2026 may have to delay their discharge from the IDF.

Minister of Defence Israel Katz visits the Mahaneh Yehudah Market in Jerusalem, on September 2, 2025.

Israel approves 2026 state budget incl. NIS 112 b. designated for defense spending

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid said the government is approving "a budget of corruption and draft-dodging."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

IDF Chief of Staff Zamir to hold meeting over new commanders, contradicting Defense Minister Katz

Katz recommended suspending the discussions, arguing that they could resume only after the Defense Ministry comptroller reviews the probes from November.

Prime Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli minister of Defense Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the graduation of an IDF officers' course, October 30, 2025.

Israel’s defense echelon failed to secure critical sites during Iran war, comptroller charges

Some critical Israeli sites were struck by Iranian ballistic missiles during the war, including Beersheba's medical center, the Haifa Bazan oil refinery, and the Weizmann Institute of Science.

A building at the campus of the Weizmann Institute of Science remains damaged following an Iranian missile strike on Sunday, in Rehovot, Israel June 19, 2025

Israel exposed to bioterrorism threats amid severe biosecurity gaps, comptroller reveals

Matanyahu Englman's report also examined the rapidly advancing field of synthetic biology and concluded that Israel has no regulatory framework for overseeing DNA synthesis.

Employees of the Research Institute for Protective Technologies, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection (WIS) inspect a dummy sample which is contaminated with a substance similar to the chemical weapon Sarin.