On eve of ceasefire, Katz says he told IDF to ‘respond with great force’ against Hamas attacks

Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has instructed the IDF to “respond with great force” against any attempt by Hamas to harm Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, as the government is set to approve a ceasefire in the territory.

Katz had held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other top officers, ahead of the security cabinet and full cabinet meetings this evening that are expected to approve the ceasefire deal.

“The defense minister instructed the IDF to respond with great force to any threat and any attack by the Hamas terror organization against our forces during the interim stage before the government’s decision and until the implementation of the agreement,” Katz’s office says.

Katz is quoted by his office as saying: “Safeguarding the security of IDF soldiers is our foremost obligation in the current situation.”