Israeli Defense Minister Criticizes Galatz Military Correspondent Over Censorship Breach

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's office issued a sharp condemnation against Galatz military correspondent Doron Kedosh on Monday, accusing him of improper conduct and censorship violations during a recent military briefing. The office stated that Kedosh was not invited to the current briefing due to his previous misconduct but nonetheless published inaccurate information and quoted the minister without being present, harming his journalist colleagues. In response, the Defense Ministry released the full transcript of Gallant's briefing to clarify the official record.

The transcript revealed complex diplomatic and military discussions with the U.S. administration during the northern campaign against Hezbollah. Gallant described Prime Minister Netanyahu's firm resistance to U.S. pressure to link the conflict in Lebanon with Iran, recounting four phone calls between Netanyahu and President Biden where the U.S. sought to connect the two fronts. Gallant emphasized Israel's original goal was to decisively weaken Hezbollah's capabilities, calling it "removing the snake's fangs." He detailed Israeli military plans including aerial evacuation of villages in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and intense pressure that caused panic within Hezbollah.

Gallant also disclosed that during a fifth call, which he did not attend, the U.S. president insisted on linking the theaters, leading Netanyahu to accept limited surgical strikes rather than broader attacks in Beirut. Gallant expressed regret over this forced linkage, attributing it to American interests in advancing negotiations with Tehran. This shift led Israel to adopt a "Plan B," intensifying a "yellow line" policy but resulting in displaced residents returning to southern Lebanon and Hezbollah strengthening its presence south of the Litani River. The security establishment is reportedly debating whether to resume broader ground operations.

This public dispute highlights tensions between the Defense Ministry and military journalists over information control and censorship, as well as the delicate balance Israel maintains in its northern front strategy amid U.S. diplomatic pressures.