❗️ KATZ ANNOUNCEMENT DRAWS CRITICISM AS ISRAEL FACES DRILLS, EXTREME HEAT AND AN EARTHQUAKE
🕑 Published: August 3, 2026 · 11:28 AM Israel time
⚖️ KATZ ACCUSED OF POLITICIZING LIVE MOVE TO REPLACE CENTRAL COMMAND CHIEF AVI BLUTH: Israeli critics argued that the live announcement appeared influenced by Likud primary politics and political pressure from Gotliv rather than an urgent operational need. They questioned how Katz could criticize the politicization of the military while publicly linking a senior command appointment to his preferred policy toward the settlements.
Commentators also highlighted Katz’s sharp change in position after he described Bluth eight months ago as “the best one there has been in the 20–30 years I’ve been involved.”
A separate concern focused on the manner of the announcement. Critics argued that declaring Bluth’s replacement live on television, without prior coordination with the Chief of Staff, undermined normal military appointment procedures during a sensitive operational period.
They noted that a similar announcement by a defense minister from the opposing political camp, involving a commander’s responsiveness to that minister’s political base on the eve of party primaries, would likely provoke strong accusations of politicizing the military.
Shai Alon, head of the Beit El Local Council, said: “It is a disgrace and a shame that the Minister of Defense is dismissing, live on air, a regional commander who established 104 communities. Minister Katz, if you're short a few votes in the primaries, tell me and I'll make up the difference. I have appealed to the Prime Minister to put an end to this disgrace.”
The Yesha Council stated: “We express our support for Major General Bluth — the heads of the local authorities will meet with the Defense Minister today.”
🛡️ PLANNED MILITARY EXERCISES BEGIN AT SEA AND IN RA’ANANA: A naval exercise will take place from Monday morning through Tuesday evening in the maritime area between Shavei Tzion and Ashdod.
Increased movement of security forces and naval vessels will be noticeable. The exercise was planned in advance as part of the IDF’s 2026 training program, and there is no concern of a security incident.
A separate military exercise will begin Monday evening in Ra’anana and conclude Tuesday morning.
Lighting equipment will be used, and increased movement of military forces and emergency vehicles will be noticeable. This exercise was also planned in advance as part of the 2026 training program, and there is no concern of a security incident.
🔥 EXTREME HEAT CONTINUES ACROSS ISRAEL: Sunday was the hottest day recorded so far this season. Jerusalem reached 34°C, Tel Aviv reached 33°C with high humidity, Tiberias reached 43.9°C, Eilat reached 44.5°C and Gilgal reached 45.3°C, the highest temperature recorded in Israel that day.
Extreme heat will continue Monday, although temperatures are expected to ease slightly from Sunday’s peak.
Jerusalem is forecast to reach approximately 33°C, Tel Aviv 33°C, Tiberias and Beit She’an around 41°C, the Dead Sea region 41°C and Eilat up to 43°C.
Orange extreme-heat warnings remain in effect across several regions through the evening. An elevated wildfire risk is expected in the eastern valleys during the afternoon.
🌍 EARTHQUAKE IN EGYPT FELT ACROSS PARTS OF ISRAEL: A moderate earthquake struck shortly after 3:00 a.m. Monday, with its epicenter approximately 40 kilometers north of Suez, Egypt.
Monitoring agencies issued varying magnitude estimates ranging from 5.0 to 5.6. Such differences are common as additional seismic data is analyzed.
The earthquake was felt across Cairo and Sinai, as well as in southern and central Israel, including Eilat, the Arava, the Dead Sea region, Beersheba, the southern lowlands and areas near Jerusalem.
Some Android users in Israel received Google earthquake alerts that initially estimated the magnitude at 5.9.
No injuries or significant damage were reported in Egypt or Israel.
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