Dr. Muhammad Halsa: The Palestinians and the world must take Katz’s threats seriously because Israel may go to new levels of violence and destruction

Dr. Mukhaimer Abu Saada: Fear of implementing Katz’s threats to carry out wide-scale killing, destruction and displacement measures similar to what happened in the northern Gaza Strip

Dr. Ahmed Shadid: Katz's statements reflect a raging internal conflict within the political and partisan scene in Israel

Amir Makhoul: This approach reflects Netanyahu and Katz's doctrine of settling the land and eliminating any urban presence in Gaza

Imad Abu Awad: Israel is paving the way for a more dangerous phase after it succeeded in its experiment in northern Gaza without major international reactions

Dr. Riad Al-Aila: The Israeli right-wing government seeks revenge on the world by committing crimes of genocide against the Palestinian people

Dr. Hussam Al-Dajani: Katz’s threats represent a true reflection of the vengeful and bloody nature that prevails in the Israeli political scene

In light of the complete international silence and the UN’s failure to stop the open massacre that the occupying state has been carrying out in the Gaza Strip for about fifteen months without stopping, Israeli Minister of War Yisrael Katz came out threatening and warning the Hamas movement that it “will receive strong blows that Gaza has not witnessed for a long time” unless it allows the return of the prisoners it is holding and stops firing rockets at Israel.

Katz's threats are reminiscent of similar threats issued by incoming US President Donald Trump a few days ago, in which he vowed to turn the Middle East into hell if the Americans held in Gaza were not returned to their families.

So what can Katz do against Hamas that he has not done, unless the intention is to continue and escalate the extermination of civilians and the last signs of life in the remaining areas of the Gaza Strip?! The other question: Why does Israel not continue its escalation and crimes and the extermination of all who remain of the people of the Gaza Strip, after it did what it did over the course of a year and three months, of massacres, destruction and displacement, in front of the eyes and ears of the world, and no one moved a finger to stop it. Even the decisions issued against it and its leaders remained ink on paper?!

Writers and analysts who spoke to Al-Quds warned against implementing Katz’s threats to carry out widespread killing, destruction and displacement measures similar to what happened in the northern Gaza Strip. They stressed the need for the Palestinians and the world to take Katz’s threats seriously because Israel could reach new levels of violence and destruction.

Serious threats in the context of the Israeli political scene

Academic and researcher in Israeli affairs Dr. Muhammad Halsa considered that Israel Katz’s statements regarding granting Gaza and Hamas a deadline to recover the prisoners reflect a dual approach, ranging from a populist show of force to serious threats, in the context of the current Israeli political scene.

Halsa pointed out that such statements may be part of the attempts of the Israeli military establishment and political system to enhance their popularity by launching resonant slogans targeting Israeli public opinion.

He added: "These statements may be a way to fill the vacuum resulting from the inability to recover the prisoners by military means."

But he warned that the threats could also be an expression of Israeli preparations for military escalation if things get critical and the deal efforts fail, noting that Israel has previously proven its ability to carry out an unprecedented, uncontrolled escalation in the Gaza Strip, despite international criticism and the issuance of arrest warrants against its leaders, such as Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Minister of War.

He linked the Israeli threats to a political vision that seeks to exploit any future settlement, and said: "Israel may exploit these statements to raise the ceiling of threats, to market any concessions it obtains from the Palestinian side to the Israeli interior, and to claim that these concessions came as a result of its pressures."

Israeli madness has no limit

He pointed out the unlimited support that Israel receives from the United States, especially with Donald Trump approaching the presidency again, and the absence of an Arab and international role in curbing Israeli aggression, which gives Israel a feeling of immunity and freedom to act without accountability.

Halsa warned that "this Israeli madness has no limit," noting that the current right-wing government includes ministers who previously called for the extermination of Palestinians, and some of them regret not killing 100,000 Palestinians in one day.

He added: "What is happening now is the implementation of the plans of the Israeli generals, which exceed what was thought to be the maximum limits of escalation."

Halsa stressed that these threats cannot be considered mere slogans, and said: “The Palestinians and the international community must deal with these statements with caution and seriousness, because Israel may go to new levels of violence and destruction, taking advantage of the immunity provided to it by international and regional alliances.”

Fears of widespread destruction and displacement of population

For his part, Dr. Mukhaimer Abu Saada, Professor of Political Science at Al-Azhar University, warned of the seriousness of the recent threats issued by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, which may indicate large-scale measures similar to what happened in the northern Gaza Strip, where areas such as Jabalia Camp, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun witnessed widespread destruction and almost complete displacement of residents.

Abu Saada explained that the northern Gaza Strip was subjected to systematic destruction, including hospitals, homes and infrastructure.

He pointed out that Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last hospital in the area, was completely out of service, leading to the collapse of health services. Israel also used the policy of starvation and deprivation as a tool of pressure on the civilian population.

Abu Saada cited an investigation published by Haaretz newspaper, which revealed that Israeli battalion commanders had destroyed homes and residential areas without any military orders, indicating a lack of oversight over the Israeli army and its commanders.

He added: "This behavior reflects the possibility of the existence of high-level circulars to carry out genocide operations," referring to the statements of former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who described what happened in northern Gaza as "ethnic cleansing."

Abu Saada expressed his concern that Katz's threats may be accompanied by additional support from the new US administration headed by Donald Trump, who is expected to take office soon.

Trump may turn a blind eye to Israeli escalation

He said: "Trump may turn a blind eye to more killing, destruction and starvation, and even provide Israel with more weapons, which could lead to a dangerous escalation in the Gaza Strip."

Abu Saada pointed out that Israel appears to be in a state of "victory euphoria" after the operations it carried out in Lebanon and Syria, in addition to the American and British support for it in confronting the Houthis in Yemen.

He warned that this overconfidence could push Israel to carry out more destruction, killing and starvation in the Gaza Strip in the coming months.

Abu Saada stressed the need to deal seriously with Katz's threats, noting that Israel seeks to generalize the model of the northern Gaza Strip to other areas, which threatens a new humanitarian disaster if the international community does not move to stop these practices.

Netanyahu's government is trying to export its crises abroad

In turn, Dr. Ahmed Shadid, an expert in Israeli affairs, said that the statements of Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz regarding Gaza are nothing but a reflection of a raging internal conflict within the political and partisan scene in Israel.

He pointed out that these statements come in the context of the tensions and conflicts between members of the government and the Knesset, especially with the escalation of tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners.

Shadid stressed that Katz's threat reflects the Israeli government's attempts to export its internal crises abroad, noting the resignation of former Defense Minister Yoav Galant and the disagreements over the budget.

He said: "The government today faces major transformations, most notably an attempt to control the behavior of ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Struck, who are calling for the return of settlement to the Gaza Strip."

Disagreements threaten the stability of the Israeli government

He added: "These differences threaten the stability of the government and push ministers like Katz to escalate their tone towards Gaza in order to unify ranks within the ruling coalition and prevent the formation of an internal opposition that could lead to the collapse of the government."

Shadid pointed out that the Gaza Strip is already suffering from a catastrophic situation, saying: "Gaza has become a disaster area, from north to south, where there is nothing left to hit except tents and destroyed houses."

He explained that Katz's threats of military escalation are nothing but an attempt to divert attention from the internal crisis and cover up the government's inability to achieve internal consensus.

“These statements reflect a real political impasse within Israel, where Katz and Netanyahu are seeking to silence dissenting voices within the government by exporting the crisis to Gaza,” Shadid concluded. “But in the end, these policies further complicate the regional situation and exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Projects with economic, political and geopolitical dimensions

For his part, political analyst Amir Makhoul reviewed the dimensions of the Israeli threats towards the Gaza Strip in the context of Israeli expansionist policies and their strategic goals.

Makhoul pointed out that these policies go beyond military escalation to projects with economic, political, and geopolitical dimensions, aiming to change the reality in the Gaza Strip in a way that serves long-term Israeli interests.

Makhoul said that the settlements surrounding Gaza are witnessing a major transformation, as the Palestinian buildings that used to obstruct the view of the sea have disappeared, as a result of the policy of comprehensive destruction of the infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip, including cities such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.

He explained that this approach reflects the doctrine of Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, which seeks to level the land and eliminate any urban presence in Gaza.

Makhoul pointed out that Israel is using the issue of prisoners held by Hamas as a pretext to justify military escalation, but the Israeli military establishment believes that these policies may lead to the killing of prisoners instead of their liberation, which highlights the contradiction between Israeli political discourse and military positions.

Makhoul explained that Israel seeks to control Palestinian territorial waters and offshore gas fields, which is a fundamental goal in its strategy. Israel relies on a legal interpretation that denies the Palestinian Authority’s right to these resources on the grounds that it is not a sovereign state, which contradicts international law.

Connecting India to Europe via Israel

He said that the trade project linking India to Europe via Israel stands out as one of Israel's most important goals. The plan includes expanding Israeli ports on the southern coast and establishing facilities inside the Gaza Strip to reduce dependence on the Suez Canal.

He stressed that Israel considers the resettlement in the northern Gaza Strip as part of its expansionist project, based on statements dating back to 1948, when Palestinian refugees were prevented from returning to their original lands.

Makhoul believes that the Israeli escalation has brought the Palestinian issue back to the forefront after attempts to obscure it for a year and three months.

He added: "The year 2025 may witness a strategic shift towards establishing a Palestinian state or accumulating international recognition and pressures leading to major changes.

He stressed that the Israeli threats towards Gaza go beyond political rhetoric to actual policies aimed at radical change in geography, economy and politics. However, achieving these goals is not inevitable, as the results depend on Palestinian, Arab and international changes.

Makhoul concluded by saying, "The keys to the solution are still out of the hands of Netanyahu's government, despite its attempts to impose a new reality in Gaza and the region."

Dangerous signs of a wider military escalation

Israeli affairs expert Imad Abu Awad revealed dangerous indicators that show that Israel is preparing for a new and broader military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

He pointed out that the recent Israeli statements seek to justify a major military operation targeting Gaza City, amid an unprecedented escalation in the current operations.

Abu Awad explained that Israel is working to prepare regional and international public opinion for a new escalation under the title of "Hamas' refusal to respond to the deal," noting that this step aims to portray Hamas as responsible for the failure of the understandings, and thus justify any future military steps.

He added: "Israel seeks through this escalation to show itself as biased towards political solutions before the world, claiming that it has provided opportunities to Hamas, but the latter did not respond, which allows Israel, according to its vision, to do "what it sees fit" inside the Gaza Strip.

According to Abu Awad, the next stage may include: expanding ground operations, i.e. an intensive entry into Gaza City and other areas in the Strip, and increasing the pace of destruction, i.e. using the policies of comprehensive destruction that were implemented in the northern Strip.

He said that the stage also includes strengthening the aerial bombardment, i.e. justifying the violent air attacks that may accompany these operations, and attempts to displace the population, i.e. raising the possibility of forced displacement of Palestinians in the short or medium term.

Katz and Trump's threats coincide

Abu Awad pointed out that the recent Israeli statements, most notably those of Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, coincide with statements by former US President Donald Trump, which reflects an implicit agreement between the Israeli far right and some international movements to support the escalation.

Abu Awad stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with residents living in the open amid systematic destruction and dozens of martyrs falling daily. Despite this, Israel is preparing to use a heavier military machine, taking advantage of the absence of firm international or regional responses to what happened in the northern Gaza Strip.

Abu Awad concluded his statement by saying: “What we see is a clear prelude to a more dangerous phase. Israel’s success in its experiment in northern Gaza without major international reactions encourages it to move forward towards a broader and more violent escalation, especially in Gaza City, amidst great internal support from the Israeli military and government.”

Israel is practicing genocide against the Palestinian people

Dr. Riad Al-Aila, Professor of Political Science at Al-Azhar University, believed that the Israeli right-wing government, which he described as neo-Nazi, seeks to take revenge on the world by committing crimes of genocide against the Palestinian people, in light of complete international silence.

He pointed out that these crimes have been ongoing for more than 15 months, leaving behind more than a quarter of a million martyrs, wounded and missing, most of whom are children, women and elderly people, in addition to thousands of detainees.

Al-Aila explained that the occupation dropped more than 85 thousand tons of explosives on the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories. These weapons were obtained from regimes that he described as fascist, primarily the United States, Germany, and Britain, in addition to other countries that support the occupation.

He added: "The statements of some ministers in the occupation government, whom he called "ministers of the Zionist massacre," reflect their blatant disregard for international laws and human rights.

Al-Aila called on the United Nations and international organizations to take immediate action to force the occupation to stop these crimes and withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip and all occupied Palestinian territories.

He also called for the formation of international courts to hold accountable the leaders of the far-right government, who he said represent the modern version of Nazism.

Al-Aila pointed out that the Palestinian people will continue their struggle until they achieve their freedom, stressing that freedom is coming inevitably.

He stressed the importance of rebuilding Gaza and building an independent Palestinian state, explaining that the continued desire of Palestinian children to be free is evidence that this dream will one day become a reality.

Al-Aila concluded his speech by saying: “Yes to stopping the massacre immediately, yes to reconstruction, yes to building a free Palestinian state.”

Katz's statements reflect Israeli brutality and quest for revenge

In turn, Dr. Hussam Al-Dajani, Professor of Political Science at Al-Ummah University, described the statements of Israeli Defense Minister Katz as a true reflection of the vengeful and bloody nature that prevails in the Israeli political scene towards the Palestinian people.

He explained that Israel, with its repeated crimes against Gaza, has turned Palestinian blood into a means to enhance the status and popularity of its political and military symbols, which reveals the extent of the brutality that dominates its orientations at this stage.

Al-Dajani pointed out that the killing and destruction carried out by Israel in Gaza makes Katz's statements a true translation of a brutal, aggressive approach.

He added: "What Israel did to the Gaza Strip raises a central question: What more can it do than what it has already done?" Noting that these statements come in the context of highlighting an extreme image of Israel, which is experiencing an unprecedented moral and political crisis.

He stressed that the current stage requires urgent international action to limit the brutality of the occupation and ensure the cessation of crimes committed against the Palestinians.

Al-Dajani also stressed that the silence of the international community encourages the occupation to continue its aggressive policies.