After Hamas holds up next hostage release, Katz orders IDF in Gaza to prepare at ‘highest level of alert’

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Defense Minister Israel Katz, center, visits an IDF position in southern Lebanon alongside senior IDF officials, February 2, 2025. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
Defense Minister Israel Katz, center, visits an IDF position in southern Lebanon alongside senior IDF officials, February 2, 2025. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to Hamas’s announcement on postponing the release of Israeli hostages until further notice, saying it is an “outright violation of the ceasefire.”

“I instructed the IDF to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the [border] communities. We will not return to the reality of October 7,” he adds.

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