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Israeli Defense Minister Katz Urges IDF to Finalize Plan for Hamas Elimination Amid Hostage Crisis
Edited by: Fern Sidman
During a high-level security meeting, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to draft a comprehensive plan to eliminate Hamas if hostages are not released by the time Donald Trump assumes office as U.S. President. The meeting, as reported by World Israel News, was attended by top military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir.
Katz stressed the urgency of the situation, asserting that Israel must avoid a prolonged conflict and take decisive steps to dismantle Hamas. World Israel News quoted Katz emphasizing that a war of attrition would be unacceptable given the grave risk faced by the hostages still held in Hamas tunnels.
“We must not let ourselves be dragged into a drawn-out war of attrition while hostages remain trapped in Hamas tunnels, their lives at risk and suffering greatly,” Katz said. He added that IDF commanders and soldiers, both active and reserve, have shown remarkable heroism, but that adjustments to strategy are essential for achieving a decisive victory.
The objective of the proposed plan, as outlined in the meeting, seeks to achieve a total strategic defeat of Hamas. This includes dismantling the terror group’s military capabilities and infrastructure, particularly in areas such as Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where many of the hostages are believed to be held. The World Israel News report highlighted that one of the primary obstacles to such operations is the risk of harm to hostages during military actions.
Katz also urged the IDF to consider potential humanitarian challenges that could arise and to design a flexible plan that would allow political leaders to make necessary adjustments as the situation evolves.
According to the information provided in the World Israel News report, Katz dismissed considerations of post-war governance in Gaza as irrelevant while Hamas remains a significant force. He noted that no nation or group, including Arab states, is willing to assume responsibility for governing Gaza under the shadow of Hamas’ control.
Katz’s focus on eliminating Hamas reflects a broader concern about preventing the conflict from devolving into a quagmire with no tangible progress on the release of hostages. The report on World Israel News indicated that Katz sees this shift in strategy as crucial for achieving a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
During the meeting, Katz articulated the need for a change in direction, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a costly war of attrition. World Israel News cited Katz as saying: “We cannot afford to be drawn into a costly war of attrition that would prevent us from achieving a decisive victory—one that delivers a total strategic defeat of Hamas and brings the conflict in Gaza to a close.”
The Defense Minister’s remarks call attention to the high stakes of the current conflict and the necessity of a clear and effective military strategy to address the crisis.
Katz’s call for action comes amid growing concerns about the hostages’ safety and the need to bring the conflict in Gaza to a definitive end. As reported by World Israel News, the meeting highlighted the IDF’s need to balance operational effectiveness with humanitarian considerations while ensuring that political leaders retain the flexibility to adapt to evolving circumstances.
The elimination of Hamas, as envisioned in Katz’s plan, represents a pivotal moment for Israel’s national security strategy. Whether the IDF can execute such a comprehensive operation while safeguarding the hostages and minimizing collateral damage will be a critical test in the weeks ahead.
Katz’s decisive leadership, as noted by World Israel News, signals Israel’s commitment to resolving the conflict with clarity and purpose, ensuring the safety of its citizens and the long-term stability of the region.
