Defense Minister Katz Says IDF Will End Hamas Members In Israel's Controlled Region

Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would destroy Hamas tunnels and kill its personnel inside the Israeli-controlled Gaza region "without any restrictions," amid reports Israel was considering allowing armed people trapped in the Rafah to return to the Hamas-controlled territory in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel's policy in Gaza is clear: the IDF operates to destroy tunnels and eliminate any Hamas terrorists within the yellow line region under our control," Defense Minister Katz said in a statement.

"The goal, apart from returning all the fallen hostages, is to strip Hamas weapons and demilitarize Gaza," he added.

According to Israeli estimates, about 200 armed Hamas personnel are in the southern Gaza region controlled by the IDF, especially in Rafah, and cannot retreat to Hamas-controlled territory without leaving their tunnels and being seen by Israeli forces.

The United States has reportedly pressured Israel to allow safe travel for the militants, as part of efforts to advance to the next stage of the growing ceasefire framework based on Trump's plans.

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not allow them to travel safely.

Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reportedly recommended to political officials that Israel require safe passage by operators from Rafah with the return of the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who died in the battle against Hamas in Gaza in 2014 and his body has been detained since then.