WANA (Jul 12) – Israel’s Defense Minister announced that the Israeli military is preparing for an independent military operation against Iran under orders from the government. He also claimed that recent Israeli strikes had halted Iran’s nuclear program and asserted that there is currently no active nuclear program in the country.

 

Israel Katz said that any resumption of Iran’s nuclear activities would require a new decision by Tehran, claiming that no such decision has been made so far. His remarks come as Iranian officials continue to maintain that the country’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful and operates under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

Katz also addressed the war in Gaza, claiming that Israeli forces now control more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. He described these areas as part of Israel’s long-term security strategy, adding that the Israeli military presence in Gaza is expanding rather than diminishing.

 

Defending Israel’s large-scale destruction in Gaza, Katz said the model implemented in Rafah had also been applied in areas such as Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis. According to him, the strategy of seizing land and demolishing infrastructure is intended to increase pressure on Hamas.

 

Turning to southern Lebanon, Katz claimed that Israel had implemented the same “Rafah model” there, carrying out widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes in 24 border villages. He said between 15,000 and 20,000 houses had been destroyed, with about 90 percent of the buildings in those villages reduced to rubble. He further claimed that around 200,000 residents would be unable to return to their homes for an extended period.

 

Katz also said that during negotiations with armed groups, one of the first demands made by the other side is the suspension of Israel’s targeted assassination operations. He claimed that such operations remain an effective tool for exerting pressure on Israel’s adversaries.