Defense Minister Israel Katz: “I have instructed the IDF to seize additional areas in Gaza, while evacuating the population, and to expand the security zones around Gaza in order to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers. The more Hamas continues its refusal to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel.”
“Israel will continue Operation ‘Strength and Sword’ with increasing intensity until the kidnapped are released by Hamas. We adhere to the proposal of the US President’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to release all the kidnapped, both living and dead, in advance and in two stages with a ceasefire in between – without endangering Israeli security interests.
If the Hamas terrorist organization continues to refuse to release the hostages – I have instructed the IDF to seize additional territories, while evacuating the population, and expand the security zones around Gaza in order to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers, through permanent Israeli control of the territory.”
“The more Hamas continues its refusal, the more territory it will lose to Israel.”
“We will intensify the fighting with strikes from the air, sea, and land, and by expanding the ground maneuver until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated, while using all military and civilian means of pressure – including evacuating the Gaza population to the south and implementing US President Trump’s voluntary transfer plan for Gaza residents.”
