Israel's Defense Minister Tells Erdogan to Host Hamas in Turkey
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas's approach has failed, citing a new Palestinian survey from JMCC indicating that only 9.7% of Gazans believe armed struggle is the best path to Palestinian goals. Katz asserted that this shows Gazans are "reading the reality" and not becoming "Zionists."
Katz explained that his policy, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focuses on denying territory, infrastructure, commanders, and rearmament capabilities to terror organizations. He claimed elements of this strategy have been implemented in Gaza, Lebanon, and the northern West Bank.
Addressing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Katz declared that Israel will not allow Iran or any other entity to rearm Hamas. He suggested that if Erdogan wishes to help his "brothers in opinion and path" in Gaza, he should invite them to Antalya, Turkey, where he claimed ample space is available due to the absence of Israeli tourists. Katz emphatically stated, "He will not set foot in Gaza."
Katz also revealed that Israel eliminated the heads of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's forces in Iran and stressed that the campaign is ongoing. He added that Israel has important objectives against Iran and in other arenas, which it will pursue with military might and political wisdom. Katz concluded, "Ultimately, interpretations do not determine reality. Reality on the ground determines."