Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel wants to maintain the Gaza buffer zone.
Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said that even if the war ends, Israeli troops will not leave Gaza's buffer zone.
On Wednesday, Hamas appeared to reject an Israeli ceasefire deal that would put nearly a dozen hostages in captivity for more than 550 days. Israel resumed combat operations in the zone last month after Israel collapsed before the second phase of Israel and Hamas reached.
Israeli Prime Minister Benamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, right, Israel Defense Forces Head Eyal Zamir and other security officials are conducting security assessments in Kirya, Tel Aviv. (Prime Minister of Israel)
Hamas rejects Israel's ceasefire, hostages requested by disarmament to return agreement
“Unlike in the past, IDF has not exited from cleaned and captured areas. [Israeli Defense Forces] Katz said in a statement on Wednesday that the IDF will serve as a buffer between the enemy and Israeli communities under any temporary or permanent arrangements in Gaza, just as it did in Lebanon and Syria. ”
According to the Times of Israel, Israel-established buffers account for 30% of the zone. The media also reported that Israeli forces have been working to create the Morag Corridor, which will cut off the southern city of Rafah from Khan Younis.
According to Reuters, Hamas said any deal that does not really guarantee to stop the war, evacuate with all its might, lift the lockdown and start rebuilding will be a political trap”.
IDF troops surrounded Tel al-Sultan in Gasarafa when they demolished the terrorist infrastructure and terrorists in the area. The IDF said the operation was to strengthen controls and expand security zones in southern Gaza. (IDF)
With Trump's support
Since resuming operations in March, Israel has been condemned by leaders who have international agencies called for an immediate ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that he was “very concerned” about the situation and the lack of humanitarian aid. Kaz confirmed on Wednesday that humanitarian aid has been accused of stealing aid in order to put pressure on Hamas.
A Palestinian boy carries a assistance box provided by UNESCO during a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel on 3 February 2025. (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas)
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon condemned Guterres' statement, saying “The UN secretary-general has no problem explicitly condemning Israel's defensive war in Gaza and unequivocally calling for a ceasefire. Yet his statements, once again, fail to mention the hostages and fail to mention Hamas, whose barbaric actions on October 7, 2023, triggered this war.”
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Danon added: “The war begins at Hamas and they will not end until the remaining 59 hostages are cruelly imprisoned at home.”
