Defense Minister Israel Katz attends the Muni Expo 2026 conference in Tel Aviv, on June 24, 2026 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 16, 2026
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israel’s military is prepared to resume full-scale fighting in Gaza, eliminate Hamas and move forward with a plan for Palestinian migration from the territory.
Katz made the remarks while responding to criticism from political rival Ofer Winter during Israel’s election campaign. His comments come amid continuing uncertainty surrounding the Gaza ceasefire and efforts to determine the future of the territory.
Katz Says Israel Is Prepared to Resume Fighting
Katz said the Israel Defense Forces are prepared to act if ordered to resume the military campaign against Hamas.
He argued that the ceasefire arrangement announced in October 2025 had significant value for Israel because it facilitated the return of remaining hostages and included a U.S. commitment regarding the disarmament of Hamas.
Katz nevertheless said he believes Hamas will not ultimately disarm under the current arrangement. He said the military is prepared to “finish the job” against Hamas and then implement what he called a migration plan.
Dispute Over Palestinian Migration
The most consequential part of Katz’s statement concerned the proposed movement of Palestinians out of Gaza.
Katz has previously said Israel is prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza by land and sea. He has characterized the proposed migration as voluntary and has argued that many Palestinians want to leave because of the conditions in the territory.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has rejected the idea that Washington supports forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza, saying there is no U.S. plan to “displace people out of Gaza against their will.”
The distinction between voluntary departure and forced displacement remains central to the controversy surrounding the proposal.
Katz Says 70% of Gaza Has Been Emptied
Katz said approximately 70% of Gaza had already been emptied of its population during Israel’s military campaign.
The conflict began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,221 people and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage, according to figures cited by AFP based on Israeli official data.
Israel subsequently launched a military campaign in Gaza aimed at defeating Hamas and recovering hostages.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, more than 73,700 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its overall casualty figures.
Ceasefire Has Reduced, But Not Ended, Violence
The ceasefire announced in October 2025 significantly reduced the level of fighting, but violence has continued.
L’Orient Today, citing AFP, reported that Israeli strikes have continued in Gaza despite the ceasefire, while Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
The Israeli government and Hamas have continued to disagree over the terms and implementation of the ceasefire, particularly concerning Hamas’ weapons and Israel’s military presence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas verifiably gives up its weapons.
Broader Humanitarian Crisis
Katz’s comments came on the same day that a war-damaged building in Gaza City collapsed, killing at least 20 people, according to Reuters. The building had previously been damaged by Israeli strikes and was being used as shelter by displaced Palestinian families.
The collapse highlights the broader humanitarian and infrastructure crisis facing Gaza, where large numbers of residents remain displaced and many buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about housing, access to aid, reconstruction and the safety of civilians living in damaged structures.
A Contentious Next Phase
Katz’s comments indicate that at least some Israeli officials continue to contemplate renewed large-scale military operations if Hamas does not disarm.
At the same time, the proposed migration plan remains disputed. Israel describes it as voluntary, while Palestinian officials and critics have raised concerns about whether Palestinians would genuinely have a free choice to remain in Gaza.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi also rejected plans for Palestinian displacement during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday.
The competing positions leave the future of Gaza uncertain as negotiations over the ceasefire, Hamas’ weapons and the territory’s political future continue.
🧩 Bottom Line:
Israel’s defense minister has openly said the military is prepared to resume the war in Gaza if Hamas does not disarm and has linked the proposed end of that campaign to a migration plan for Palestinians. Israel describes the plan as voluntary, while U.S. officials have rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians. With the ceasefire still fragile and Gaza facing enormous humanitarian challenges, Katz’s remarks add another layer of uncertainty to an already unresolved conflict.
SOURCES: ABS-CBN NEWS – Israel will ‘finish job’ in Gaza and remove Palestinians — defense minister
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL – Israel will ‘finish the job’ in Gaza and seek Palestinians’ migration — defense minister
L’Orient Today – Israeli defense minister threatens Israel will ‘finish job’ in Gaza and remove remaining Palestinians
