Netanyahu and Katz give the army and Mossad the green light to carry out assassinations and killings in Iran and Lebanon without returning to the government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have reportedly instructed the Israeli military and the intelligence agency Mossad to proceed with targeted assassinations in Iran and Lebanon without seeking additional approval from the full government cabinet.
According to security sources, the new directive marks a significant operational shift in decision-making procedures, granting field commanders and intelligence leadership broader autonomy in responding to actionable intelligence.
Officials familiar with the discussions say the change is aimed at accelerating Israel’s response time against perceived threats from Iranian-backed groups, particularly Hezbollah.
In recent days, Netanyahu and Katz are said to have conveyed a clear message to senior commanders: whenever reliable intelligence emerges enabling the elimination of an Iranian or Hezbollah official — especially on Lebanese territory — operational units should act immediately.
“There is no need to wait for further political authorization; you already have the mandate,” the directive reportedly states.
Security analysts note that the move reflects heightened regional tensions and Israel’s growing concern over the transfer of advanced weapons systems and the expansion of militant infrastructure along its northern frontier.
The streamlined chain of command is expected to facilitate covert operations, including precision strikes and intelligence-driven missions deep beyond Israel’s borders.
However, critics warn that bypassing broader governmental oversight could increase the risk of escalation with Iran and Hezbollah, potentially triggering retaliatory actions or a wider regional confrontation
Diplomats in several Western capitals have also expressed concern that unilateral targeted killings may complicate ongoing efforts to stabilize the volatile Middle East security landscape.
Supporters within Israel’s security establishment argue that the evolving threat environment requires rapid and flexible responses, emphasizing that delays in authorization can allow high-value targets to evade capture or elimination.
Meanwhile, opposition figures are expected to raise legal and constitutional questions about the concentration of operational authority in the hands of a limited number of political leaders.
