Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declared on Wednesday that the Israeli military is prepared to "eliminate Hamas" in order to "complete the mission" in Gaza, followed by implementing an "emigration plan" for the area populated by two million Palestinians.
In a statement shared via social media, Katz stated, "Rafah and 70% of the Gaza Strip have been evacuated of residents and tunnels and homes destroyed," adding that the military "protects Israeli towns and eliminates numerous terrorists every week."
Katz's remarks came in response to criticism from Ofer Winter, a Knesset candidate and former colonel, who posted a sarcastic comment after the Israeli army announced on Tuesday the killing of Nael Abu Obeid, the commander of Rafah Brigade in Hamas' Qassam Brigades in Gaza.
Winter had questioned why a Hamas brigade commander was in Rafah despite "three years of war and five military brigades fighting in Gaza."
Katz noted that the military's actions in Gaza are within the framework of the "ceasefire agreement" and the "commitment of the United States and partner countries to disarm Hamas."
Nonetheless, Katz concluded by saying, "We all recognize that this will not happen, and the Israeli military is ready, once ordered to eliminate Hamas, to complete the mission so we can also implement the emigration plan."