Beirut: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has launched a bold campaign strategy ahead of the Likud party's primary election, utilizing illegal settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank, targeted assassinations, and home demolitions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran to garner support. Katz's approach, highlighted in a series of videos, has sparked widespread attention and criticism.
According to Anadolu Agency, Katz shared a video on the US social media platform X, showcasing assassination operations and destruction in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, under the title 'Israel Katz Boom Boom,' suggesting references to explosions. Another video emphasized illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and backed violent actions by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians.
Katz outlined his "settlement revolution" in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), detailing decisions to establish 104 new settlements, legalize 160 farms, cancel administrative detention orders against settlers, and expand settlement activity in the Jordan Valley. He also highlighted the displacement of 40,000 Palestinians from refugee camps in the northern West Bank and the continued presence of Israeli forces in these areas. Katz called on Likud members to support him as a "right-wing defense minister" in the upcoming party primary.
The daily Israel Hayom reports that Katz has ramped up his political campaign as the Likud primary election approaches. Alongside settlement expansion, Israeli forces and occupiers have escalated attacks in the West Bank, causing significant damage and displacement among Palestinian communities.
In Gaza, a ceasefire agreement was recently reached to halt the intense conflict, which has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 174,000 injuries since October 2023. The war has devastated 90% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated by the UN to be around $70 billion.
Despite ongoing peace talks with Beirut, Israel has maintained daily assaults in Lebanon, leading to 4,335 deaths, 12,277 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million people since March 2, as reported by Lebanese authorities. Furthermore, Israel's joint offensive with the US against Iran in February has heightened regional tensions, even as efforts to broker a peace deal between Washington and Tehran continue.