Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke overnight Wednesday into Thursday with U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth amidst American military activity in Iran and security developments across the Middle East.
1+Hegseth updated Katz on U.S. military operations in Iran, according to the defense minister’s office. The two agreed to continue coordination between the countries in response to any potential developments.
During the call, Katz briefed Hegseth on Israeli operations against jihadist terror groups in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon. The defense minister stressed Israel’s determination to maintain its presence in security zones across all three fronts to protect the borders and nearby communities—a key lesson from the October 7 attacks, he said.
1+Katz emphasized Israel’s sovereignty: “We have never asked the United States to act in our place along our borders. We are committed to defending Israel’s citizens against every threat, and that is what we intend to do.”