Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz made it clear on Tuesday morning that Israel will continue to have control over Gaza’s security and will maintain full operational freedom within the region.
“My stance on Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamas’s military and governmental power in Gaza, with full freedom of operation, just like in Judea and Samaria. We will not allow any terrorists to organize in Gaza against Israeli towns and citizens. We will not allow the reality to return to what it was before October 7th,” Katz declared.
This statement follows a Channel 12 report that claimed Katz had met with a U.S. official and communicated that Israel has no interest in controlling Gaza. According to the report, the Minister explained to the American official, “Israel does not want neither military control nor civil rule over the civilians. There are no decisions regarding [Jewish] settlements in Gaza.”
Regarding the Palestinian Authority, the official suggested that Katz told him, “Israel protects the PA from Iran and Hamas. It must be moved to the moderate side.”
On Monday, Katz appeared before the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, where he expressed that Israel is closer than ever to reaching a deal with Hamas that would involve a prisoner exchange and ceasefire.
“There will be a vast majority in support of the deal which is on the table. We are closer than we ever were – and it’s better to speak less,” Katz remarked.
“I placed the hostages’ return at the top of the Ministry’s priority list. The Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor will not be an obstacle to implementing a deal. There is flexibility from the other side on these issues,” he continued.
{Matzav.com Israel}