Katz: Voluntary emigration from Gaza will be implemented at the 'right time'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the 'voluntary emigration' plan from the Gaza Strip will be implemented at the appropriate time and manner.

The Israeli minister stressed in statements today, Wednesday, that his country pledged not to allow the Hamas movement to rule Gaza, either civilly or militarily.

Israel established a special directorate for 'voluntary emigration' under Katz's sponsorship since the beginning of 2025, to encourage Gaza residents to leave to third countries as part of the 'day after' vision for the Strip.

Katz also reaffirmed Israel's commitment to 'killing everyone who led the October 7, 2023 attack,' stressing that 'this is what we are doing,' in reference to the assassination of the fourth commander of Hamas's military wing in Gaza, Muhammad Audeh.

The Israeli army confirmed, in a statement today, Wednesday, the success of the operation to assassinate Audeh, whom it considered 'one of the last senior leaders of Hamas's military wing who oversaw the planning and execution of the October 7, 2023 attack.'

The army explained that the operation was joint with the Shin Bet, and involved attacking several buildings in the heart of Gaza City that were used as hideouts for Muhammad Audeh.

Audeh was considered the direct successor to Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was assassinated in an Israeli raid in mid-May. The assassination came just days after Audeh was appointed commander of the military wing.