Tel aviv: Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that the Israeli army will persist with demolitions in the Gaza Strip areas still under Israeli control as part of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Katz emphasized the destruction of tunnels in the “yellow zone” as a top priority alongside the protection of soldiers and communities. This directive aligns with ongoing discussions with US officials, including the vice president, secretaries of state and defense, presidential envoys, and CENTCOM commanders, focusing on implementing US President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle and destroy all terror tunnels in the remaining territory under Israeli responsibility and disarm Hamas.

According to Anadolu Agency, Katz underscored the strategic importance of demilitarizing Gaza by eradicating Hamas’s terror tunnels and disarming the group as essential for securing victory in the region. He highlighted the urgent moral imperative of returning all hostages and fallen soldiers to their homes, describing it as a sacred and critical mission. Katz reiterated that achieving a strategic victory involves the complete destruction of the remaining 60% of terror tunnels and the disarmament of Hamas.

The phased Gaza ceasefire agreement, facilitated through regional and international mediation, began on October 10. The first phase includes exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal. The agreement also outlines rebuilding Gaza and establishing a new governing mechanism without Hamas.

Since October 2023, the conflict has resulted in more than 68,500 deaths and over 170,300 injuries, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.