Israeli Defense Minister Katz Orders Military to Prepare for New Unilateral Strikes Against Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that he and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have instructed the Israeli military to prepare for new unilateral strikes against Iran. Katz made these remarks while appearing as a guest on Israeli academic Dr. Gadi Taub's podcast program. He claimed that Tehran has not yet rebuilt the nuclear facilities damaged in joint attacks with the US, nor have they made such a decision.

Also touching upon the military operations ongoing in southern Lebanon, Minister Katz argued that they are implementing the Rafah model in the region and that the area will remain closed to the civilian population for a long time. Stating that approximately 200 thousand local residents will not be able to return to their homes, he noted that nearly half of the houses have been destroyed and that only soldiers and rubble remain in the area. He boastfully added that 24 villages along the border line have been systematically wiped off the map and that between 15 thousand and 20 thousand structures have been completely leveled.

Speaking about the situation in the Gaza Strip, Katz stated that despite a ceasefire being declared, Israel has expanded rather than reduced its military presence in the region. He emphasized that the occupied areas have exceeded 60 percent and that the Israeli military will maintain a permanent presence in Gaza. He noted that these security zones have now become an inseparable part of Israel's national security policy.

Evaluating the destruction they caused in the city of Rafah, Katz said the city has been completely leveled and there is nowhere left to return. Claiming that the people remaining in the area are trapped in tunnels, Katz announced that the same model of destruction has been applied in Beyt Hanun, Han Yunus, and other regions.