Katz: IDF to ‘professionally implement’ ministers’ decisions on achieving war’s goals

During a visit to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) post in the Gaza buffer zone, Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has “formulated his position regarding the security and political steps Israel must take to ensure the achievement of the war’s objectives,” which he will present later today to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and cabinet ministers, Report informs via The Times of Israel.

“The defeat of Hamas in Gaza, while creating the conditions for the return of the hostages, are the main objectives of the war in Gaza, and we must take all necessary actions to achieve them,” Katz says in remarks issued by his office.

“At the same time, we must ensure the safety and security of Israeli communities by maintaining a permanent IDF presence in a peripheral security zone at strategic points in Gaza, from which attacks on communities and the smuggling of weapons into Gaza can be prevented,” he says from the so-called “Ridge 70” post.

“Once the political leadership makes the necessary decisions, the military echelon, as it has done in all fronts of war so far, will professionally implement the determined policy,” he says, adding that “My role as the defense minister in charge of the IDF is to ensure that this will be the case, and that is what I will do.”

The remarks come amid reports that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir opposes the government’s proposed occupation of Gaza.