Israeli Defense Minister Vows to Complete Gaza Depopulation Plan

Addressing political pressure from right-wing rival Ofer Winter ahead of next month's elections, Katz asserted that the Israel Defense Forces remain prepared to resume full-scale combat operations. He stated that the military aims to eliminate Hamas and facilitate the departure of the remaining population, noting that 70% of the territory has already been cleared. Since October 2023, the conflict has resulted in over 250,000 casualties and left 90% of the infrastructure in ruins.

Katz’s comments align with his earlier assertions that such displacement efforts await approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. While proponents of the policy often describe the potential movement as voluntary, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the premise, insisting that Gaza remains an inseparable component of the Palestinian state. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi echoed this resistance, reaffirming his government’s refusal to facilitate the displacement of Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula.

The rhetoric arrives as international legal scrutiny intensifies. Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are currently fugitives from the International Criminal Court regarding alleged war crimes. Furthermore, Israel faces a separate genocide case at the International Court of Justice, initiated by South Africa. Despite the diplomatic discourse, violence persists on the ground; a building collapse in Gaza City on Wednesday left at least 21 people dead, underscoring the precarious reality of the ongoing military campaign.