Israel Arrests Senior Hamas Commander in Gaza, Says Defense Minister

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces had arrested a senior Hamas operative in the Gaza Strip. The statement was made during a visit to Netiv Ha'asara, a community on the Gaza border, where he was marking the start of the school year.

Katz described the arrest as part of an ongoing policy of proactive operations. "We do not wait for threats but we pursue Hamas terrorists, neutralize them, and destroy their terror infrastructure," he said, emphasizing that military activities in Gaza are continuing at all times.

The minister also reiterated Israel's commitment to maintaining a military presence in the territory. He stated that forces would not withdraw until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terror tunnels are destroyed. Even after those conditions are met, Katz indicated that the Israeli military would remain in defensive positions to secure the western Negev communities.

Addressing the threat of aerial attacks, Katz warned that any attempt to bypass the security zone through launches—whether by balloon, kite, or drone—would draw a harsh response. He pledged a powerful and clear reaction to any launch, targeting those responsible and evacuating neighborhoods from which attacks originate.

The comments come amid a fragile ceasefire framework. In July, a US-brokered deal was announced that envisioned Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing its forces, with an international stabilization force deployed in areas administered by a technocratic committee. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that his forces will not withdraw from their current positions until Hamas surrenders all of its weapons.