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Defense minister: Israel will ‘dismantle’ Hamas if it doesn’t lay down weapons
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at an Israeli Air Force pilots' graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim Airbase, December 24, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel is “determined” to disarm the Hamas terror group, threatening to “dismantle” the terror group if it doesn’t agree to lay down its arms.
“After we have completed the objective of bringing back all of our hostages, we are determined to complete the disarmament of Hamas and the full demilitarization of Gaza,” Katz says at a handover ceremony for the chief of COGAT, the Defense Ministry body that liaises with Palestinians.
“If Hamas does not disarm in accordance with the agreed framework, we will dismantle it and all of its capabilities,” he warns.
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