{
  "id": 16670558,
  "title": "'Complete fabrication': Netanyahu, Katz deny plans to fire IDF chief Zamir ahead of election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/complete-fabrication-netanyahu-katz-deny-plans-to-fire-idf-chief",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T22:52:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-912979"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and Defense Minister Israel Katz both rejected recent reports alleging plans to dismiss IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir in the days leading up to the Knesset elections. Katz dismissed the claims as a \"complete fabrication\" and part of efforts to harm the Likud Party ahead of the Tuesday elections. Katz stated that he had personally recommended Zamir for the position and affirmed that their cooperation would continue. Netanyahu's office also rejected the reports in a brief statement on X/Twitter, stating that the allegations were \"complete fake news.\" Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar Party, clarified that Zamir would only leave his position when the law requires, while Netanyahu would step down after the elections and formation of the next government. The reports of tensions between Netanyahu and Zamir centered around a potential Israeli strike on Iran, with Channel 12 News reporting on a clash between the two over the issue earlier in the week. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit emphasized that military decisions were made based on security, professional, and national interests, and any portrayal of otherwise was misleading.",
  "summary": "Katz and Netanyahu reject reports of plans to dismiss IDF chief Eyal Zamir amid tensions over Iran, as Eisenkot weighs in ahead of Tuesday's elections.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Israel defence minister denies Netanyahu rift with army over Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/israel-defence-minister-denies-netanyahu-rift-with-army-over-iran",
        "published": "2026-10-26T10:22:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Netanyahu meets with police chief, says 'left-wing anarchists' could disrupt election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/netanyahu-meets-with-police-chief-says-left-wing-anarchists-could",
        "published": "2026-10-26T12:28:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Israel rules out attack on Iran before elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/israel-rules-out-attack-on-iran-before-elections",
        "published": "2026-10-26T15:54:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Opponents accuse Netanyahu of stoking tensions with Iran before Israel's election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/opponents-accuse-netanyahu-of-stoking-tensions-with-iran-before",
        "published": "2026-10-26T17:11:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Netanyahu denies allegations he's escalating tensions with Iran before Israel's election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/netanyahu-denies-allegations-hes-escalating-tensions-with-iran-before",
        "published": "2026-10-26T17:22:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Israeli media: At Netanyahu's request, Israeli officials discussed preparations for striking Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/israeli-media-at-netanyahus-request-israeli-officials-discussed",
        "published": "2026-10-26T19:07:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Breaking down how Israel's elections work as Netanyahu faces opposition threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/breaking-down-how-israels-elections-work-as-netanyahu-faces",
        "published": "2026-10-26T22:16:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Opponents accuse Netanyahu of stoking tensions with Iran before Israel's election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/opponents-accuse-netanyahu-of-stoking-tensions-with-iran-before-16680582",
        "published": "2026-10-26T23:31:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}