ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, PELED ARBELI
Updated:

The IDF should prepare a plan to defeat Hamas in case of the group’s refusal to implement US President Trump’s Gaza deal, Defense Minister Israel Katz told IDF leadership on Wednesday.

Trump’s deal, agreed upon by both Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams, requires the return of all hostages and the complete disarmament of the terror organization.

All remaining living hostages were returned on October 13, in addition to eight deceased hostages in the days since. Hamas has also not disarmed, carrying out multiple executions of Gazans since the deal was agreed upon.

Released hostage Evyatar David, who was kidnapped to Gaza during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Israel October 13, 2025.
Released hostage Evyatar David, who was kidnapped to Gaza during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Israel October 13, 2025. (credit: Chen G. Schimmel)

War not over until threat removed for all

“We endorse the defense minister’s call to return to fighting," the Gaza border communities forum, which represents thousands of residents from towns near the Gaza Strip, said in a response statement early Thursday morning.

"The war is not over until the threat is removed," it said.

"Even after all the deceased [hostages] return, the war is not over for us until the threat is removed from all residents of the periphery. We are done being silent," the forum's statement concluded.