Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed in a live interview on Channel 14 that the IDF was instructed immediately upon the ceasefire with Iran taking effect to prepare for an offensive dubbed 'Operation White-Blue' in Iran when required. Katz said that all capabilities exist and are being built, marking the most specific Israeli directive for a named operation against Iran since the ceasefire began.
In a live interview on Channel 14 with host Yaakov Bardugo, Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed that the IDF was ordered — immediately upon the ceasefire with Iran taking effect — to prepare a named offensive operation inside Iran, dubbed 'Operation White-Blue' (Mivtza Kachol Lavan). 'All capabilities exist and are being built,' Katz said. The revelation, first aired around 19:34 Thursday, is the most explicit Israeli reference to a codenamed military plan inside Iran since the ceasefire began. Katz did not provide a timeline or trigger conditions.
The thread of Israeli readiness signals has been consistent: at 18:30 Thursday, The Zioneer reported that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had instructed the IDF to shift 'from zero to one hundred' for an offensive scenario against Iran. By 20:12 Thursday, the IDF confirmed authorization to open fire within the 'Yellow Line' in southern Lebanon — a separate front but a related tightening of rules of engagement. Earlier, at 20:37 Wednesday (Jun 10), Katz stated at the Israel Security Award ceremony that the campaign was 'far from over' and that the IDF was ready to strike inside Iran 'with great force.' The live interview itself was scheduled at 13:57 Thursday.
As The Zioneer reported on Monday (Jun 8, 17:19), the IDF had reportedly been ordered to halt strikes in Iran, while maintaining freedom of action in southern Lebanon — a directive that was never officially confirmed. Wednesday's and Thursday's signals mark a reversal of that reported pause. The wider context includes a series of Israeli statements, including an official warning on Thursday (01:01) that forces were 'ready on defense and offense' and that the public would be updated if Iranian retaliation was detected.
The naming of 'Operation White-Blue' as a codename remains a single-source report from Katz's Channel 14 interview, not yet corroborated by additional Israeli outlets or official spokespersons. Whether the directive represents a new operational plan or the activation of an existing contingency, and what specific trigger conditions would be, remain unstated.
6 developments
- DevelopingIsrael's Katz: Campaign against Iran far from over; IDF ready to strike Iran with great force
- ConfirmedIDF reportedly ordered to halt strikes in Iran, continue operations in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingChief of Staff instructs IDF to prepare for offensive scenario against Iran amid talks
- DevelopingSenior Israeli official says forces were at peak readiness for Iran strike before Trump call
Source and signal
- Internal intake