Katz stated that the army will take control of “extensive areas” within the Palestinian territory, aiming to “eliminate and clear the region of terrorists and their infrastructure.
This expanded operation involves “seizing large areas that will be incorporated into Israeli security zones,” according to Katz, although he did not specify the extent of the territory Israel intends to occupy.
Katz emphasized that the army’s goal is to “dismantle and cleanse the area of terrorists and their infrastructure while capturing areas that will become part of Israel’s security zones.
He urged the residents of Gaza to “expel Hamas and release all hostages.
“This is the only way to end the conflict,” Katz said.
As of now, Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive. Many of the others have been released in ceasefire agreements or negotiated deals.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forums have criticized Katz’s decision to expand Israel’s operations in Gaza, raising concerns about whether the hostages are being sacrificed for “territorial gains.”
Previously, in February, Katz announced plans to establish an agency responsible for facilitating the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, Israel has expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza, which had a pre-war population of 2.4 million, after the removal of its Palestinian inhabitants.
Forced displacement is a violation of international law, and senior UN officials have denounced this plan as constituting ethnic cleansing. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim denied by the Israeli government.
