‘IDF will carry out government policy,’ says Katz, amid Gaza occupation rumors

The ministry noted that during the visit, Katz “coalesced his stance” regarding the next security and diplomatic steps Israel needs to take “in order to actualize the goals of the war.”

The IDF will carry out any policy the government decides on, Defense Minister Israel Katz said while on a visit to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

The ministry noted that during the visit, Katz “coalesced his stance” regarding the next security and diplomatic steps Israel needs to take “in order to actualize the goals of the war: Dismantling Hamas in Gaza while creating the ripe conditions to return all of the hostages.”

The comments come amid a fierce split between the government and army regarding the next steps in the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security consultation on Tuesday evening with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on the matter. Katz is set to present his stance at the meeting.

On Monday evening, sources had said that Netanyahu reached the decision for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip – including operations in areas where hostages are being held. Hamas is still holding 50 hostages from those that were kidnapped by terrorists in the Hamas-led massacre attack onOctober 7, 2023.

Katz said, “We have to be able to ensure the security and safety of Israeli communities [in the Gaza border area] by having a permanent military presence in a security zone surrounding the controlled areas in the enclave,” like the area Katz visited on Tuesday. Per reports, Netanyahu is leaning towards an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave after 22 months of war against Hamas.

Seizing the entire territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel to pull settlers and military out of Gaza while retaining control over its borders – a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there.

Unclear if it will be a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation

It was unclear, however, whether a potential full takeover of Gaza would entail a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages.

The IDF has, throughout the war, pushed back against the idea of Israel trying to fully occupy Gaza and establish military rule there, which would require it to take over long-term governance.

The military has also struggled with manpower issues as the war has dragged on, with reservists being repeatedly called up and putting a strain on capabilities.

Per Gazan health authorities, which are wholly controlled by Hamas and cannot be verified by a third party, 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive since the war began.

Yehuda Cohen and Yael Adar, the parents of hostages Nimrod Cohen and Tamir Adar, told Ynet on Tuesday that advancing an occupation of the enclave means a certain sacrifice of the hostages.

Zamir “must refuse orders to occupy Gaza. This move is awful and deadly, and any claims that this is mounting pressure on Hamas to come to a deal proved themselves faulty these past two years,” said Cohen.

Adar called for Zamir to quit – if it comes to that – rather than fulfill orders he doesn’t believe in and which could endanger hostages.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.