Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Philadelphi Corridor on Wednesday, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to maintaining security control over the Gaza Strip. Accompanied by Major General Yaron Finkelman and other senior commanders, Katz received a briefing on the IDF’s operations in the region.
Katz stressed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would continue to control Gaza’s security and respond to threats as necessary, including eliminating terrorist infrastructure, preventing tunnel construction, and safeguarding the nation. “We will act to ensure no threat to Israel’s citizens or soldiers,” he said.
Highlighting lessons learned from previous conflicts, Katz stated that the current war represented a shift from Israel’s long-standing containment strategy. He vowed that threats like infiltration tunnels would not be allowed to resurface.
Katz also announced plans for new “buffer zones and dominant positions” to enhance security. He reaffirmed the war’s primary objectives: to free all hostages and defeat Hamas. “There will be no political or military Hamas here anymore,” he declared, praising the resolve of Israeli forces and reservists committed to seeing the mission through to the end.
