Katz: Israel to maintain security control in Gaza after war

(JNS) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that the military will continue to maintain security control over the Gaza Strip after the war with Hamas concludes.

“In response to various reports, my position regarding Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamas’s military and governing power in Gaza, Israel will maintain security control in Gaza with full freedom of action, just as in Judea and Samaria,” the minister wrote in a post to X.

“We will not allow any terrorist group to organize against Israeli communities and citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the reality that existed before October 7th,” he added.

The statement came after Channel 12 reported that Katz had told a senior American official in a closed-door meeting that “Israel does not want military control or civilian governance over the residents of the Gaza Strip.”

Katz also reportedly said that “there are no decisions regarding settlement in Gaza.” He also was quoted as saying with regard to the Palestinian Authority that, “Israel is protecting the P.A. from Iran and Hamas. It must be shifted to the moderate side.”

98th division moving from Lebanon to Gaza

Meanwhile, fighting continues in the Gaza Strip even amid reports of a potential hostages-for-ceasefire agreement.

The IDF announced on Monday night that after three months of combat against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, forces from the 98th Division are redeploying to Gaza.

This comes after the two-month ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on Nov. 27, during which IDF units are meant to gradually withdraw from Lebanon.

“The 98th Division completed their mission in the northern arena last week (Wednesday), after approximately three months of continuous combat against Hezbollah’s terrorist strongholds, and conducting their defensive missions following the ceasefire agreement,” the IDF said.

“The soldiers of the 98th Division are currently preparing for their next mission in the Gaza Strip,” added the military.

The 98th Division moved from Gaza to the northern front in late September ahead of the entry of ground forces into Southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

During its time in Gaza, the division led an operation in Khan Yunis from early December to early April.

While in Lebanon, the 98th Division dismantled more than 300 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites.