Feels good to see destruction in Gaza, says Israeli minister

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that witnessing the widespread destruction across Gaza gives him a "good feeling." Looking over the devastated landscape, he remarked, "A good feeling, isn't it?" He described the destruction as the successful implementation of what he called a "planned policy" aimed at eliminating threats posed by Palestinians.

Katz made the comments on Monday during a visit to an Israeli military position in northern Gaza. His remarks were later broadcast by Israel's Channel 14. During the visit, he also unveiled a plan to establish three new Jewish settlements in coordination with the Israeli military.

According to Katz, Israel has completely changed its military strategy in Gaza. Previously, Israeli forces would enter Gaza temporarily to conduct operations and then withdraw. He said that strategy has now been replaced with a permanent military presence, with Israeli troops remaining inside Gaza continuously. He also claimed that Palestinian fighters had been driven out and that their homes had been reduced to rubble.

According to a report by Channel 14, the most significant and controversial aspect of Katz's visit was his declaration of plans to permanently reinforce Israeli control in northern Gaza. He said Israel intends to return to areas from which it withdrew its troops and settlements in 2005 under international pressure. The plan includes establishing three new Nahal outposts, or military settlements, in those locations.

According to TRT World, Nahal outposts are a type of military camp and settlement initiative initially established under army control to secure newly occupied areas. Over time, these outposts are typically transformed into permanent civilian Jewish communities.

Katz argued that establishing these settlements on land in Gaza is essential to strengthen Israel's security and protect nearby communities.

Since October 2023, Israeli military operations in the besieged Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to the figures cited in the original report, with women and children accounting for a large share of the fatalities. More than 173,000 Palestinians have also been reported injured or permanently disabled. Years of continuous attacks have left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins, while the conflict has forcibly displaced large portions of the population from their homes.

Note: The casualty figures and characterizations such as "genocide," "barbaric," and "planned policy" reflect claims or descriptions presented in the source text and remain subject to dispute. For neutral news reporting, such terms are typically attributed to their sources or presented alongside relevant context.