At a Glance

• Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says full-scale war in Gaza will resume.
• Katz says Israel will move ahead with a plan for Palestinian migration from Gaza.
• He says 70% of Gaza’s population has already been displaced during the war.
• US officials have rejected any plan to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza.

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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel could resume full-scale military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not disarm, while linking a renewed offensive to a plan for Palestinians to leave the territory.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Military action: “The IDF is prepared, once given the directive to eliminate Hamas, to finish the job so that we can also implement the migration plan.” — Israel Katz.
• US position: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has denied any plan to “displace people out of Gaza against their will.”

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Katz Links Renewed War to Hamas Disarmament

Katz said the October 2025 ceasefire had “supreme value for all Israelis,” citing the return of remaining hostages and what he described as a US commitment to disarm Hamas.

He said, however, that Israel does not expect the disarmament commitment to be fulfilled. Katz said the Israeli military is prepared to resume operations if it receives an order to eliminate Hamas.

Israel’s Migration Proposal

Katz linked a renewed military campaign to what he described as a migration plan for Palestinians in Gaza. He said 70% of the territory had already been emptied of its population during Israel’s military offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.

Earlier this month, Katz said Israel was prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza by sea and land, while saying the plan depended on US discussions over potential destinations. He has described the proposed migration as voluntary.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has denied that Washington supports a plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza against their will. The US State Department has also said Washington does not support the forced expulsion of Palestinians.

Ceasefire Remains in Place Amid Continued Strikes

The October 2025 ceasefire has reduced the level of fighting but has not ended violence in Gaza. Israeli forces have continued carrying out strikes, while both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the agreement.

Katz's comments come as Israel prepares for October 27 elections, with proposals concerning Gaza and Palestinian migration becoming prominent issues among right-wing politicians.

FYI

The Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures cited by international news agencies.

Israel's subsequent military campaign has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry operates under Hamas authority and does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its figures.

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