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Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has stated that Israeli forces will maintain their presence in buffer zones within Gaza, regardless of the conclusion of the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Hamas reportedly rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal aimed at securing the release of approximately a dozen hostages who have been held for over 550 days. Following a previous failed ceasefire agreement, Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza last month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF chief Eyal Zamir, convened security officials in Tel Aviv for critical assessments of the current situation.
HAMAS DISMISSES ISRAELI CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL, CITING DISARMAMENT CONDITIONS
Katz emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw from areas that have been secured. “In contrast to prior strategies, the IDF will stay in the security zones to serve as a buffer against threats to Israeli communities,” he stated. This approach mirrors Israel’s strategies in neighboring Lebanon and Syria.
The buffer zones established by Israel along the perimeter of Gaza account for approximately 30% of the territory, as reported by the Times of Israel. It has also been reported that Israeli forces are working to construct the Morag Corridor, which will isolate the southern city of Rafah from Khan Younis.
Hamas has asserted that any agreement lacking “real guarantees for halting the conflict, achieving a full withdrawal, lifting the blockade, and initiating reconstruction would constitute a political trap,” a sentiment echoed in reports from Reuters.
IDF forces are operating around Tel al-Sultan in Rafah, dismantling terror infrastructure as part of efforts to bolster legal control and extend the security perimeter in southern Gaza.
ISRAEL FORGES AHEAD IN GAZA WITH U.S. SUPPORT AMID HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS
Since re-engaging in military operations in March, Israel has faced criticism from various international leaders advocating for a swift ceasefire. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the impediments to aid entering the region.
On Wednesday, Katz acknowledged that humanitarian aid was being restricted as a tactical measure to exert pressure on Hamas, which has been accused of diverting assistance meant for civilians.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Guterres’ remarks, asserting that the U.N. chief had focused solely on condemning Israel’s military actions while neglecting to address the hostage crisis or Hamas’s initiation of the conflict on October 7, 2023.
“This war instigated by Hamas will persist until all 59 of our hostages are safely returned,” he affirmed.
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