Katz: Hamas will ‘learn the hard way’ that the IDF will not allow harm to soldiers

By Emanuel Fabian

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19 October 2025, 3:20 pm

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

Defense Minister Israel Katz visits the Mahaneh Yehudah market in Jerusalem, on September 2, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Defense Minister Israel Katz says that “Hamas will learn today the hard way that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and to prevent any harm to them,” after an attack on troops in southern Gaza’s Rafah.

Katz says he has instructed the IDF to “act forcefully against Hamas terror targets in Gaza.” According to a military source, more than 20 targets have been struck so far since the attack in Rafah this morning.

“Hamas will pay a heavy price for any shooting and violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood, the intensity of the responses will increase,” Katz warns.