Katz approves plans for further Gaza ops

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

Defense Minister Israel Katz (left) meets with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor (center) and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai at the Gaza Division base near Re'im, March 25, 2025. (Shira Keinan/Defense Ministry)
Defense Minister Israel Katz (left) meets with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor (center) and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai at the Gaza Division base near Re'im, March 25, 2025. (Shira Keinan/Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Israel Katz says he approved the Gaza Division’s plans for continued operations against Hamas in the Strip, while issuing new threats against Hamas.

“Our main goal now is to return all the hostages home. If Hamas continues its refusal, it will pay increasingly heavy prices, in land that will be taken, operatives who will be eliminated, and infrastructure, until it is completely defeated,” Katz says in remarks provided by his office.

Katz approved the IDF’s battle plans following a meeting with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, and 252nd Division commander Brig. Gen. Yehuda Vach.

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