Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz has said the country is likely to resume full-scale military operations in Gaza and pursue a plan aimed at encouraging Palestinians to leave the territory.
Katz made the remarks while responding to criticism from Ofer Winter, a fellow right-wing political contender, ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
He said about 70 per cent of Gaza had already been emptied of its population as a result of the war.
Katz also defended the October 2025 ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, describing it as significant because it facilitated the return of remaining hostages and included a US commitment to the disarmament of Hamas.
However, Katz said Israel was unlikely to see the disarmament commitment fulfilled.
“We all understand that this is not going to happen, and the IDF is prepared, once given the directive to eliminate Hamas, to finish the job so that we can also implement the migration plan,” he said.
Earlier this month, Katz said Israel was prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza by land and sea, but was awaiting discussions by the United States on where those leaving the territory would be relocated.
Katz has described the proposed migration as voluntary and claimed that most Palestinians want to leave Gaza, although he did not provide evidence for the assertion.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has rejected the existence of any plan to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza, saying people would not be displaced against their will.
Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced during the conflict, while large parts of the territory have been severely damaged or destroyed.
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