Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke overnight Thursday with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Defense Ministry. Hegseth briefed Katz on US military activity in Iran, and the two agreed to continue cooperation. Katz reiterated Israel's determination to remain in security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon to protect communities from jihadist threats.
The overnight call between Defense Minister Israel Katz and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth marks the latest direct high-level contact between the two allies, coming as Hegseth briefed Katz on US military activity in Iran. The Defense Ministry confirmed the call early Thursday morning, with Katz reiterating Israel's determination to remain in security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon — a position he has consistently maintained in recent weeks.
The call, reported in a series of updates from The Zioneer starting at 08:36 Jerusalem, unfolded in a single conversation but was described through multiple official statements. Earlier reports noted that Katz briefed Hegseth on Israeli operations against jihadist groups across the three fronts, while Hegseth in turn provided details on US operations in Iran. By the final update, the two had agreed to continue cooperation against any possible developments. The thread builds on previous contacts: as The Zioneer reported on June 15, Katz and Hegseth discussed the same topics in a prior call, and Katz has since repeated that the IDF will maintain an open-ended presence in buffer areas citing the lessons of October 7.
Background context from The Zioneer's coverage — including reports from June 12, 15, and July 1 — shows Katz has been consistent in publicly rejecting withdrawal pressure, stating that the security zones are a key war achievement. He has also warned Iran of a "full-force" response to any attack, and confirmed that the position has been conveyed to both President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.
The single official source — the Defense Ministry statement — leaves the bulletin at Developing confidence. No further details on the scope of US operations in Iran or the timeline of Israeli presence were provided.
6 developments
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
- StrongDefense Minister Katz to Trump: Israel did not ask permission to enter Lebanon, will not need it to stay
- StrongDefense Minister Katz speaks with US counterpart Hegseth
Source and signal
- Internal intake