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Sunday, October 5, 2025
Katz says he expects Gaza deal to be implemented soon, ready to ramp up Gaza City fight if not
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Israel Katz says he expects the implementation of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip “in the near future and the immediate release of all the hostages,” crediting military pressure created by an invasion of Gaza City.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony for the fallen Israeli soldiers of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Katz says that nearly two years since the October 7 onslaught, “we may soon be informed of the return home of all our hostages, the living and the fallen alike, in accordance with the initiative of US President Donald Trump, at the end of which Hamas will be disarmed and the Gaza Strip will be demilitarized, and the IDF will remain in controlling areas to protect the communities and will act against any threat.”
“The reason for the possible turnaround in Hamas’s position is the intensity of the pressure Israel is exerting on Gaza City,” Katz claims.
“We now expect the implementation of the first phase in the near future and the immediate release of all the hostages,” he says.
“The IDF is in the heart of Gaza City and ready for any possibility. If Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the IDF will again increase the intensity of fire until Hamas is defeated and all the hostages are released,” Katz adds.
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