Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz speaks to the press at the site where a missile fired from Iran, hit in the central city of Holon. June 19, 2025. (Flash90/Chaim Goldberg)
Katz envisions Gaza being governed by Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, the Saudis, the US, and maybe others.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke hopefully on Monday about the 60-day truce and hostage release proposal and described his vision of postwar Gaza in more detail than previously.
Katz confirmed the deal currently being negotiated by Israel and Hamas in Doha calls for a 60-day truce, the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages.
It is believed that of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, 20 are still alive, with many of them in severe condition.
Katz added that during the ceasefire, the IDF will retreat from 75% of Gaza they seized and will remain in a security perimeter larger than the space they maintained during the previous ceasefire in January.
The Defense Minister acknowledged the main disagreements with Hamas relate to ending the war, how humanitarian aid will be distributed, and the security perimeter the IDF will hold after the war.
Katz is confident that Israel will remain in the Philadelphi corridor on the border of Egypt, but is less certain that the IDF will be able to hold on to the Morag corridor it constructed to separate Khan Younis from Rafah.
Katz said Israel is pushing for the right to expel Hamas leaders, although given that most have been assassinated, it isn’t clear who they will be.
He said that he supports the efforts of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and wants them to continue to distribute aid after the war.
The Israeli defense minister discussed transforming Rafah into a humanitarian zone, which will shelter 600,000 Gazans and ensure they are no longer under the influence of Hamas or other terror groups.
Katz envisions Gaza being governed by Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, the Saudis, the US, and maybe others.
Although there is still 25% of Gaza the IDF has not taken control of, Katz maintained that having conquered 75% of the Strip was sufficient, and attempting to take 100% might endanger the hostages.
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