Hamas planned attacks on IDF soldiers, settlements during ceasefire, Israeli DM Katz reveals

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday morning participated in a conference of the heads of the regional councils in Judea and Samaria, where he discussed a variety of security issues facing the nation. 

At the conference, Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are “advancing a plan of defending the borders and protecting the settlements.” 

A key part of that plan involves creating buffer zones between Israeli communities and enemies, and preventing “extremist organizations…from being positioned adjacent to Israel's borders.” 

Katz addressed the troubled ceasefire with the Hamas terrorist organization, saying that Israel didn’t agree to the ceasefire deal “because we lacked ammunition or because the soldiers were worn out. We called a ceasefire for one reason only – because we want to bring back the living hostages, and those who are no longer alive.” 

However, despite the ceasefire, Katz noted that Israel was preparing for Hamas attacks. 

"We are prepared defensively because even during the ceasefire, we received information that they are plotting to attack soldiers and settlements – that’s Hamas,” Katz stated. 

The defense minister called the Judea and Samaria region “the protective wall for most of the population of the State of Israel,” saying, “we need to ensure that we also protect the protector.” 

He said Israel discovered evidence that Hamas was also planning to attack the settlements in Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank. 

“We discovered that Hamas planned to attack before October 7, both in the Samaria settlements and along the seam line, and I’m talking to you about files that were seized in this matter – we treat this as a serious threat.” 

Katz also referred to the ongoing counter-terror maneuver, Operation Iron Wall. 

“The central infrastructure of terrorism in Judea and Samaria is the refugee camps,” he noted. “For over two years, Iran has been pushing weapons and funding and directing them into the camps to build battalions, to build a force and an eastern front against the settlements and seam line communities, against the State of Israel.” 

Katz repeated his claim to have cleaned out several Palestinian refugee camps in northern Samaria. 

“Today, the Jenin refugee camp is empty of residents, and the IDF is inside the camp,” Katz stated, "and I told them they’re not leaving for at least a year. The soldiers and commanders say that finally, they’re being allowed to do what’s needed – and staying there means they don’t have to keep coming and going.” 

Regarding the Gaza Strip, the defense minister said Israel is “safeguarding the strategic interests of the State of Israel, even during the ceasefire.” 

“The IDF maintains a defined buffer zone in Gaza, including outposts within the territory beyond what is positioned on our side, including the Philadelphi Corridor.” 

Katz said that while visiting the corridor, he saw infiltrating tunnels, some already blocked and some running from Gaza into the Egyptian side. He reiterated that the IDF cannot abandon the Philadelphi Corridor due to the threat of smuggling. 

“Once there are infiltrating tunnels, if you don’t control that corridor, then in those 42 days, everything would have been filled with weapons. I say this from a security perspective, based on the knowledge of the people and commanders on the ground.” 

Katz’ remarks came shortly after the release of a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report which stated that Hamas is actively rebuilding its forces and preparing for a resumption of hostilities. The report concluded that Hamas is using the period of the ceasefire to move men and small arms into northern Gaza ahead of the assumed near collapse of the ceasefire agreement. 

According to the report, Hamas has appointed new commanders to its military wing, has begun mapping the areas where its operatives will be stationed in the event of future conflict, and has even begun to renovate some tunnels damaged by IDF activity in the Gaza Strip. 

In addition, the terror group distributed information sheets to new terrorists, many of whom are younger men and older teenagers, detailing how to use the weapons. Due to the inability to conduct training, these information sheets may serve as the only preparation for some new Hamas recruits before they face Israeli troops.

The WSJ report stated that Hamas terrorists have been searching buildings for listening devices left behind by the IDF and are monitoring Gaza for potential spies. The report also revealed that Hamas has established a special unit dedicated to detecting and countering Israeli infiltration attempts.

Hamas has allegedly been working to repurpose unexploded material to make new improvised explosive devices (IEDs), to be used in booby traps in areas where the IDF is expected to operate. 

The preparations come as the current ceasefire deal is looking increasingly shaky, even as mediators work to extend the deal. If no agreements are reached soon, Israel and Hamas could return to war within the next week.