The Big One is Coming: Minister Katz Orders Emergency Plan as Tremors Shake Israel

Israel is officially entering a heightened state of disaster preparedness following a series of earthquakes that rattled the country over the past week, stretching from the southern desert to the northern Galilee. These tremors, which serve as a stark reminder of Israel’s precarious position along the Syrian-African Rift, have prompted the government to accelerate its national defense and civil readiness strategies. On Monday, Defense Minister Israel Katz convened the Ministerial Committee for Civilian Readiness to address the vulnerabilities exposed by these recent geological events. During the session, Katz formally designated 2026 and 2027 as "critical readiness years," signaling a shift in national priorities toward ensuring the country can survive a large scale seismic catastrophe.

A Strategic Overhaul for the Civilian Front

The emergency meeting included high ranking officials such as Justice Minister Yariv Levin and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, alongside top commanders from the police and security establishment. Minister Katz issued a direct mandate to the Home Front Command and the National Emergency Management Authority to produce a comprehensive, multi year operational plan within the next 60 days. This plan is designed to close the significant gaps identified in recent professional reviews and will focus on the rapid upgrading of early warning systems and the reinforcement of critical strategic infrastructure.

A major component of this new initiative is the clarification of administrative powers. To prevent confusion during a real time crisis, the committee established clear boundaries between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of National Security, ensuring there is no management vacuum when immediate life saving decisions are required. The government is also looking to lessons learned from the ongoing war and previous military exercises like "Am Kalavi" to refine how the civilian sector handles extreme emergencies.

Empowering Local Authorities

The government’s new strategy recognizes local municipalities as the first line of defense in any natural disaster. The committee decided to promote new regulations that will mandate comprehensive emergency training for local officials and provide a federal safety net for handling the massive numbers of homeless citizens that a major earthquake would create. Minister Katz emphasized that the home front must be prepared for any extreme scenario, as the recent tremors have made the threat of a "Big One" feel more immediate than ever.

The Ministerial Committee is scheduled to meet again in two months to finalize and approve the details of this multi year plan. With the ground literally shifting beneath their feet, Israeli officials are working under the assumption that the time for theoretical planning has passed, and the era of active, physical preparation must begin immediately to protect the lives of millions of citizens living along the rift.