Israeli Defense Minister Katz announces preparations for new attacks on Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that they have instructed the Israeli military to prepare for new attacks against Iran. Katz made the remarks regarding Iran, southern Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip during an appearance on the "Threshold Guardian" podcast, hosted by Israeli academic and political commentator Dr. Gadi Taub.

Katz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered the military to prepare for "independent" strikes against Iran. The Israeli Defense Minister claimed that the Tehran administration has not yet begun to rebuild the nuclear facilities that were targeted in previous strikes conducted in coordination with the U.S.

Arguing that Iran would first need to make a political decision to reactivate those facilities, Katz said, "They would first need to make a decision to restart this, and they have not yet made such a decision."

STATEMENTS ON LEBANON AND GAZA

Katz also made notable remarks regarding the Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon. Recalling his previous statement that "southern Lebanon will turn into Gaza," Katz expressed that the "Rafah model" would be implemented in the region.

Asserting that approximately 200,000 residents of the region will not be able to return to their homes for a long time, Katz noted that there is massive destruction in the settlements of southern Lebanon. Katz said, "The army has systematically wiped villages off the map with bulldozers and explosives. Ninety percent of the houses are gone. Between 15,000 and 20,000 homes have been razed to the ground."

Touching on the situation in the Gaza Strip, Katz said that the Israeli military's presence in the region has not decreased, but rather expanded. Stating that the areas occupied in Gaza have exceeded 60 percent, Katz expressed that these regions have become part of Israel's national security policy.

Citing the destruction in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip as an example, Katz said, "Rafah has been razed. There is no longer a place for them to return to." The Israeli Defense Minister said that a similar method is being applied in Beit Hanoun, Khan Yunis, and other areas.

News Source: 12punto