JAKARTA - Israel's defense minister warned there is still a chance for the militant group Hamas to reach an agreement on hostages, which will also prevent large-scale military operations Israel will hold in the Gaza Strip next week.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz said, after launching a major planned attack on Gaza after next week, Israel would not stop until its goal of conquering and controlling the Gaza Strip.
"Operation Gideon Chariots is meant to defeat Hamas and release all hostages. We will act with great force to destroy all military capabilities and the Hamas administration, while creating strong pressure to free all hostages," Defense Minister Katz said in a statement published by his office following an assessment with IDF's 162th Division, which will take part in the attack. , reported by The Times of Israel May 7.
Defense Minister Katz further said, "Unlike in the past, the IDF will remain in every area [it requires] to prevent the return of terrorism and to clean up and thwart any threats."
"Since maneuvers began, we will act with great strength and will not stop until all goals are achieved, including a voluntary emigration plan for Gazans," added Defense Minister Katz.
He said the campaign would not be launched until US President Donald Trump completed a trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates scheduled for May 13 to 16, indicating it could still be canceled if a hostage-taking deal was reached.
The current preparatory phase "provides until the end of the US president's visit to the region to carry out a hostage-taking agreement," he said.
He added that Israeli forces would remain in the buffer zone within Gaza "in a temporary or permanent setting," as it was intended to protect Israeli society and prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons.
It is known that Israel's Security Cabinet led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a move to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip earlier this week, as reported by Reuters.
PM Netanyahu said the expanded attack on Hamas would be "intensive" after his security cabinet approved a plan that might include the seizure of the Gaza Strip and control of aid.
Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing officials familiar with the details, said the new plan was gradual and would take months, with troops focused first on an area in Gaza.
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PM Netanyahu said in a video message the operation would be "intensive" and would see more Palestinians in Gaza displaced "to their own safety pandemic".
Separately, Hamas official Mahmoud Mardiwi rejected what he called "pressure and extortion".
"There is no agreement except for a comprehensive agreement, which includes a total ceasefire, a full withdrawal from Gaza, the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip, and the release of all prisoners from both sides," he said.
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