Defense Minister Israel Katz lashed out Wednesday at Ofer Winter, head of the Amcha Israel party and a retired IDF brigadier general, after Winter questioned why Hamas’s Rafah Brigade still exists after three years of war.
Winter wrote on social media: “3 years of war, 5 divisions that fought in Gaza and there’s still a Rafah Brigade? There’s still a Rafah Brigade?”
Katz fired back: “Winter, you’re not up to date.” The defense minister said Rafah and roughly 70% of the Gaza Strip are now empty of residents, tunnels are being destroyed and buildings demolished, and the IDF is positioned along the “Yellow Line” in dozens of outposts. According to Katz, Israeli forces are surrounding the remaining 30% of the territory from all directions as part of an “unprecedented security zone” designed to protect Israeli communities and strike terrorists and threats on an ongoing basis.
Katz then addressed the current arrangement in Gaza and the issue of disarming Hamas. He said the entire situation is unfolding under a “ceasefire” that led to the release of all hostages, with the United States and accompanying nations committing “to disarm Hamas and destroy all the tunnels.”
But the defense minister added a striking statement about the likelihood that commitment will be fulfilled: “We all understand that won’t happen, and the IDF is ready—given the directive to eliminate Hamas—to complete the job so we can also implement the emigration plan.”
Katz accused Winter of leveling “distorted” criticism against the government and the IDF, comparing it to attacks from “former studio sitters” who he said hold an “outdated security concept” and ignore Israel’s achievements across multiple fronts, including Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
“The people of Israel don’t need more of this product,” the defense minister concluded, “and it’s very worrying with regard to future scenarios.”