Israeli defence minister says destruction of Gaza gives him 'good feeling'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the widespread destruction in besieged Gaza gives him a "good feeling," describing it as the result of what he called a "deliberate policy" aimed at eliminating threats.

In remarks during a tour of northern Gaza, broadcast Monday by Israel's Channel 14, Katz also announced plans to establish three military-linked settlement outposts in the territory.

Asked how he felt while looking at the devastation in Gaza, Katz replied: "A good feeling, isn't it?" He claimed the destruction was the outcome of a "deliberate policy" designed to remove threats.

He said Israel had abandoned its previous strategy of conducting temporary aggressive raids, adding: "Instead of entering and leaving, the army is inside, the terrorists are outside, and the houses are destroyed."

Channel 14 said one of the most significant moments of the tour was Katz's proposal to establish a permanent Jewish presence in northern Gaza.

Katz said he intended to establish three Nahal outposts at sites that existed in northern Gaza before Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the enclave.

Nahal outposts are military-linked settlement groups that have historically been used to establish new settlements before becoming civilian communities.

Katz claimed the move was necessary for “security” reasons, saying it would strengthen Israeli control and the “defence” of nearby communities when the time comes.

Israel has killed over 73,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded more than 173,000 others in its genocide in the blockaded enclave since October 2023.

It has reduced most of the enclave to ruins and displaced all of its population.

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Source: TRT