All is forgiven
Israel Katz, Eyal Zamir Agree to Merge Supplemental October 7 Probes, Dial Down Public Clash
Ministry of Defense and IDF had been clashing over the investigations into the October 7th failures. Under new agreement, Ministry comptroller will review and observe IDF investigations instead of acting independently.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir reached a new understanding on Tuesday, agreeing to consolidate all supplemental investigations related to the failures of October 7 and to bring the Defense Ministry comptroller into the process as an observer rather than an independent reviewer.
The decision marks a partial de-escalation following weeks of unusually public tension between the two men over the scope, ownership, and implications of the ongoing probes.
According to announcements from both sides, the Defense Ministry Comptroller, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yair Volansky, will now sit in on the investigatory team examining the “Walls of Jericho” intelligence file, which included advance warnings about Hamas’s invasion plans that were collected but never operationalized. Volansky will also receive continuous updates on the chief of staff’s parallel probes into the Operations Directorate and the Navy’s performance on October 7.
In addition, Volansky will conduct a rapid review of the Air Force’s prior investigations and of the external report produced by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sammy Turjeman. That report criticized the handling of several issues including the role of Brig.-Gen. Omer Tishler, who served as Air Force chief of staff on October 7 and is Zamir’s pick to become the next Air Force commander.
Tishler’s appointment remains frozen. Katz has signaled concerns about his conduct on October 7, while IDF officials view the freeze as connected to Katz’s push to install his preferred candidate, Brig.-Gen. Guy Markizano, as Israel’s next defense attaché in Washington. Zamir opposes that move and supports Brig.-Gen. Tal Polites, a veteran of Shayetet 13 and former deputy navy chief, for the post.
The dispute had intensified after Katz publicly challenged the Turjeman report, saying he learned of its conclusions from the media and directing Volansky to “examine it in depth.” Zamir responded sharply, arguing that dismissing a report produced by 12 generals over seven months, and presented personally to the minister, “raises serious questions.”
Under the new arrangement, Volansky participates as an observer, not as an independent authority empowered to reopen investigations. Both offices say this mechanism respects Zamir’s command authority while addressing Katz’s demand for additional oversight.
This is the second partial agreement between the two this week, after Katz lifted his freeze on dozens of IDF mid-level appointments. Outstanding disputes remain over the next Air Force chief and the Washington attaché, as well as the long-term implications of the October 7 reviews.