Katz okays most senior IDF appointments after clash with chief of staff — but rejects two

Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved a list of senior appointments in the military that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced four weeks ago, a move that led to a public clash between the two.

The military says Katz approved the list, except for two names: Brig. Gen. Eliad Moati, who was set to command the 210th Division, and Brig. Gen. Manor Yanai, who was appointed as chief of staff at the Ground Forces.

Moati is a former commander of the Border Defense Corps, responsible for the IDF’s surveillance soldiers, many of whom were killed and abducted during the October 7, 2023, onslaught. He had entered the role only a week before the massacre. Since then, Moati was appointed to head the Tzeelim training base, a move Katz approved.

Yanai is chief of staff at the Southern Command, serving in the role since before the October 7 onslaught.

Katz has previously said he would not approve the appointments of officers potentially involved in the October 7 failures until the IDF completes its internal investigations.