Israel's Defense Minister Reprimanded The IDF Intelligence Chief Who Gave A Warning About Trump's Plans In Gaza

Defense Minister Katz together with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (red beret maroon) (Source Ariel Hermoni Defense Ministry)

JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Katz ordered Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi to reprimand the head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence, after a TV report quoted Major General Shlomi Binder as warning about potential impacts related to US President Donald Trump's plan to take over the Gaza Strip.

Channel 13 reported late Thursday that during an assessment of President Trump's plans to move Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip to be rebuilt, Major General Binder warned of potential enemy violence, including escalation in the West Bank, reported The Times of Israel on February 7.

According to the report, Major General Binder specifically warned about the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan.

The report noted that Major General Binder did not state anything against Trump's plans, but only warned about the potential consequences of the latest discourse surrounding the plan.

"There will be no reality where IDF officers will speak out against US President Trump's important plans regarding Gaza and oppose political echelon directives," Defense Minister Katz said in a statement, although a Channel 13 report said Major General Binder had not made criticism of the plan.

"I ordered the IDF to prepare a voluntary departure plan for Gazans interested in going to various places in the world, and that is what the IDF has to do and will do," he said.

Major General Binder himself said he had clarified to Defense Minister Katz that he was not against President Trump's plan to take over the Gaza Strip.

"I spoke with the Minister of Defense, clarifying I am not against President Trump's plans and that the IDF, and therefore me too, is under a political echelon and will follow his instructions," Major General Binder said in a statement issued by the military.

"Based on my role, I convey possible implications of the discourse on the subject, enemy views from a security perspective, and recommendations for appropriate offensive activities," he added.

It is known that Defense Minister Katz has repeatedly clashed with Lt. Gen. Halavi who will soon step down in the coming weeks.