Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz took part today in a high-level IDF command gathering at the Gaza Division, alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. During the meeting, he declared that taking control of Gaza City is the decisive step needed to bring down Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
In his remarks, Katz highlighted the city’s central role. “The focus on Gaza City stems from its status as a military, governmental, and symbolic center. That is where the leadership is located and where the main infrastructure of Hamas’s military wing remains. The capture of Gaza City will bring about Hamas’s defeat.”
He went on to explain that Gaza City has become even more critical as the war has progressed. “For the first time, after weeks in which Hamas was unwilling to discuss any deal for the release of hostages—even though Turkey and Qatar had reached out to them—this issue is now on the table. The reason is clear: their fear that we are seriously intending to conquer Gaza has brought them to the negotiating table.”
Katz further noted that the government’s policies under Netanyahu are designed to balance both combat and diplomacy. “The military effort you, the IDF, are leading aims to achieve the war objectives in conjunction with the diplomatic measures currently being advanced with the U.S. and regional countries. These efforts feed into each other. The decision is not only security-related; it is also political, so that as a result of the military operations, there will be tremendous leverage that we hope, with U.S. backing, will create pressure.”
Wrapping up his address, the Defense Minister stressed that the preparations for eliminating Hamas serve a dual purpose—both military and diplomatic. “We are in favor of ending the war under these conditions, and the only way this may happen or advance is through the strength you have displayed—the strength you are preparing, planning, and that we will all execute together—and this strength can also bring about that outcome.”
His comments came just as Arabic outlets reported that Hamas had given a positive reply to the latest ceasefire proposal.
According to those reports, the deal involves freeing ten Israeli hostages who are alive, returning the bodies of 18 more, opening channels for humanitarian assistance to Gaza through international organizations such as the Red Crescent and the UN, and putting in place a 60-day ceasefire. Talks about permanently halting the conflict are slated to begin once the truce is underway.
{Matzav.com Israel}
All it did was get Hamas tom make demands that it knows Israel won’t accept. No real negotiations here.