Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz boasted about the scale of destruction in the northern Gaza Strip during a field tour, saying the devastation was the outcome of a “deliberate policy” and that witnessing the scenes gave him a sense of satisfaction.

In an interview conducted during the tour and published by Israel’s Channel 14 on Monday evening, Katz said he plans to establish three military-style settlement outposts in the Gaza Strip.

Asked about his reaction to the destruction in Gaza, Katz responded without hesitation: “It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?” He claimed that the destruction was the result of a planned strategy aimed at “removing threats.”

“Instead of the raid-and-withdraw approach — going in and out — the Israeli army is now inside, the terrorists are outside, and the homes are destroyed,” Katz said.

Channel 14 reported that the most significant moment during the tour came when Katz presented what it described as a new strategic objective: establishing a permanent Jewish presence in northern Gaza.

Katz said: “I intend to establish three Nahal nuclei” in areas that had hosted such sites in northern Gaza before Israel’s withdrawal from the territory in 2005.

“Nahal nuclei” are youth groups with a military-settlement character that were historically used to establish new communities or settlements before later developing into civilian towns.

Katz claimed that the move was necessary from a security perspective, arguing that it would strengthen control over the area and provide greater protection for nearby communities.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect in Gaza since October 10, 2025.

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health, Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement have resulted, as of last Sunday, in the killing of 1,108 Palestinians and the injury of 3,578 others.