In brief
On Nov. 8, Defence Minister Israel Katz stated at a memorial that Israel's mission against Iran was unfinished, accusing Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons and warning of retaliation against Hezbollah. He pledged that Israeli troops would hold ground in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria and urged Israelis to unite ahead of forthcoming challenges. Katz's remarks came amid political shifts as the opposition seeks to form a new government.
At a memorial ceremony in JERUSALEM on Sunday, Israel Katz, the country's defence minister, claimed that Israel’s mission against Iran is “not yet complete,” reiterating allegations that Tehran is seeking to revive efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.
According to Xinhua, Katz said Israel could not accept the threats that Iran poses and would act as necessary to protect national security.
In a statement reported by Xinhua, Katz added that Israel is “more determined than ever” to preempt threats and pursue a proactive and offensive policy against its enemies.
He pledged that Israeli troops would not withdraw from areas they occupy in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, warning that Hezbollah would face severe strikes if it aided Iran in an attack on Israel.
He urged Israelis to unite “ahead of the major tasks that still lie before us” when national security is at stake.
"Israel cannot accept these threats and would act as necessary," Katz said, according to the Xinhua report.
Katz’s remarks came as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to form a government following an election that deprived Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc of its parliamentary majority.
The Xinhua story noted that Katz offered no evidence to support his claim on Iran.
On Oct. 27, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi reported that the UN nuclear watchdog had detected no Iranian efforts to repair or rebuild nuclear facilities damaged in the United States and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, though inspectors’ limited access has prevented full verification of Iran’s nuclear activities, according to Xinhua.
While Katz’s statements intensified Israel’s warning against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, no independent verification of Iranian nuclear activity was presented in the briefing.
These remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, as Israel continues to maintain a fortified presence along its eastern frontier and in southern Lebanon.
The call for unity and readiness from Katz signals a broader strategy to confront perceived threats from Iran and its allied militias.
Observers note that the political landscape in Israel has shifted as the opposition seeks a new coalition government, potentially influencing defence policy and regional stances.
