Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that no Arab party will bear responsibility in Gaza as long as Hamas is not defeated, warning against being dragged into a war of attrition with the movement, which would "cost a heavy price."

This came according to a statement issued today, Friday, by the Israeli Ministry of Security, indicating that Katz "instructed that a plan be presented to him to completely defeat Hamas in Gaza, if Hamas does not release the hostages by the time President (elect, Donald) Trump takes office," in a veiled admission that Israel has not defeated Hamas, despite the fact that it has claimed this dozens of times.

The statement pointed out that Katz's statements came "in an assessment of the security situation, held yesterday, Thursday, where the Minister of Defense met with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Director General of the Ministry of Defense Eyal Zamir, and Head of Military Intelligence, Nitzan Alon."

According to the statement, Katz stressed that "the issue of releasing the kidnapped (Israeli prisoners held in Gaza) was at the top of the security services' priorities, and that everything in his power must be done to return them to their homes."

The Israeli Minister of Security stressed that "it is forbidden to be dragged into a war of attrition against Hamas in Gaza, while the hostages remain in the tunnels, which puts their lives in danger."

According to the statement, "Katz asked the Israeli army to point out the points that might make it difficult to implement the plan, including humanitarian and other issues, and to leave it to the political level to make the necessary decisions."

He stated that "the issue of a political solution in Gaza is not related to the plan and the current required activity, because no Arab or other party will bear the responsibility of managing civil life in Gaza, as long as Hamas is not completely crushed."

He pointed out that "the leaders of the Israeli army and its regular and reserve soldiers are fighting a war, but at the same time, they must change their method of work in order to eliminate Hamas and end the war in Gaza."

He added, "We must not be dragged into a war of attrition that will cost us dearly, and will not lead to reaping the fruits of victory and a complete strategic defeat of Hamas, and ending the war in Gaza."