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Yaakov Katz

Yaakov Katz

Latest from Yaakov Katz

Israel needs a political strategy to free the hostages

The prime minister’s shifting Gaza deal strategy has deepened public mistrust. What Israel needs is a political solution to free the captives and stabilise Gaza the day after

4 min read

Protesters gather with signs and Israeli flags during a demonstration organised by the families of the Israeli hostages taken captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 2023 calling for action to secure their release and a ceasefire in the war against Hamas in Tel Aviv on August 26, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Protesters gather in a demonstration organised by the families of the Israeli hostages taken captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 2023 calling for action to secure their release outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on August 9, 2025. (Image: Getty)

Netanyahu’s Gaza options are limited but the biggest constraints are self-inflicted

4 min read

Weaponised images: The photo of Osama al-Rakab, who suffers from a genetic illness, was used as evidence of Israeli ‘starvation’ (Image: COGAT)

Untangling the hard truth about Gaza: the suffering is real — but so is the spin

5 min read

UNIFIL soldiers in the Hezbollah stronghold of South Lebanon (Getty)

UNIFIL is a complete failure and needs to leave Lebanon

4 min read

The settler activists who attack the soldiers sent to protect them

Settler violence stains Israel’s global reputation and also undermines the many law-abiding Israeli citizens who live in Jewish communities across the West Bank

4 min read

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July 2, 2025 15:31

Members of a diplomatic delegation from the European Union inspect the damage at Kafr Malik village in the West Bank, following an attack by Israeli settlers (Image: Getty)

Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been set back by years

Israel and the US hold the upper hand after the bold strikes on Iran

4 min read

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June 25, 2025 14:54

IN FLIGHT, UNITED STATES: A B-2 Stealth Bomber flies towards a refuel stop with an KC10 refueling jet as part of Global Power Launch training mission out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Home of the 509th Bomb Wing and all US B-2 Stealth Bombers 30 October, 2002 some where over Missouri. The US will deploy B2 Stealth bombers closer to the Gulf region to increase the US firepower there amid mounting pressure on Iraq. AFP PHOTO / TIM SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)

On a tugboat into the firing line: Why Israelis are trying to ‘escape’ from holiday beaches back to a war zone

This instinct to return – especially in times of danger – is etched into our national DNA. It’s who we are

3 min read

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June 17, 2025 11:25

Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv on June 16, 2025. (Image: Getty)

The missing front: How Netanyahu is bungling the war for legitimacy

Much of the Western media is deeply biased and some flirts openly with antisemitism. But that does not absolve Israel of responsibility

3 min read

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June 12, 2025 15:30

Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in court to testify in his corruption trial (Image: Flash90)

Israel can’t be expected to sustain terrorists intent on its destruction

If not handled correctly, aid will be less about saving civilians than saving Hamas

4 min read

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May 20, 2025 15:28

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of Israeli hostages at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025. Hamas's armed wing confirmed it will hand over on February 22 six hostages held alive in the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal with Israel. (Photo by Saeed Jaras / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by SAEED JARAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Is Trump shifting his views on Israel?

Concern is growing in Jerusalem that the America First agenda might leave its regional interests in a distant second

3 min read

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May 12, 2025 15:04

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an Oval Office meeting in April (Image: Getty)

The West pounds Yemen – but will it ever get tough with Tehran?

Trump’s team is quietly inching towards a deal with Iran

3 min read

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May 6, 2025 14:00

Military spokesman of Yemen's Houthi group Yahya Saree (Photo Getty Images)

Bar v Bibi: Israel is the loser as the Shin Bet’s chief takes on the PM

The head of Shin Bet hit back at Israel’s prime minister this week

3 min read

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April 25, 2025 09:40

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as the US Secretary of State gives statements (Image: Getty)

Israel’s internal fractures are a gift to its enemies

If we allow internal politics to once again fracture the country, then we risk losing not just the war, but the very soul of the state

3 min read

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March 26, 2025 12:56

Protesters hold signs and posters of hostages held in the Gaza Strip in Tel Aviv (Getty)

Dismissing Israel’s Attorney-General is a distraction from government’s failures

The cabinet is due to meet on Sunday week to fire Gali Baharav-Miara

3 min read

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March 11, 2025 17:06

Under threat: Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, arriving for a cabinet meeting in 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)

Israel’s dilemma: finish off Hamas now or bring the hostages home?

The war has been made harder to fight with its two competing aims, but Israel will have to pick one

3 min read

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February 28, 2025 12:54

Hamas militants parade newly-released Israeli hostages (L to R) Elia Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wankert on stage in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025. Three more Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas militants at a ceremony in central Gaza on February 22 after two others were released in the southern part of the Palestinian territory. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

The prize of peace with the Arab world and the Palestinians is within reach, but it needs courage

There must be a commitment to creating a new governing entity in Gaza, one that can provide stability without Israel needing to carry the burden

4 min read

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February 13, 2025 16:38

Palestinians outside their home in Gaza on February 9, 2025 (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

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