'We Destroyed Gaza': Israeli Defense Chief Katz Boasts of Gaza's Demolition

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has openly acknowledged the systemic leveling of the Gaza Strip while delivering a series of stark geopolitical warnings directed at Türkiye.

Katz detailed a deliberate military campaign to erase both subterranean infrastructure and civilian housing across the Palestinian enclave.

He estimated that nearly 70 percent of the territory has been entirely eliminated.

Underscoring the scale of the demolitions in once-populous areas like Jabalia and Shuja'iyya, Katz relayed an assessment from his Southern Command chief.

“I don't see any houses, I see the seashore,” he was told, leading Katz to conclude unequivocally, “We destroyed Gaza.”

Warnings Directed at Ankara

Beyond the Palestinian theater, the defense chief pivoted his rhetoric toward Ankara, explicitly cautioning Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against escalating tensions.

He advised the Turkish leadership to focus on domestic affairs rather than challenging Israeli regional interests.

Katz utilized historical religious analogies to emphasize Israeli permanence, comparing the current geopolitical landscape to the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

"Don't mess with us," he warned, demanding Erdogan avoid placing Türkiye in the same adversarial crosshairs as Iran.

The Israeli minister also accused Ankara of attempting to bolster Syrian factions against Israel.

He characterized Türkiye, alongside Qatar, as central figures in a "Muslim Brotherhood axis" purportedly seeking to destabilize governments in Egypt and Jordan.

Regional Demolitions and Iranian Friction

Katz expanded on Israel's strategy of total infrastructural erasure in southern Lebanon. He confirmed the complete obliteration of 24 centuries-old Lebanese villages, resulting in the destruction of up to 20,000 homes.

Addressing the Iranian front, the defense minister claimed that U.S. fighter jets are actively utilizing Israeli airspace to launch operations against Tehran.

He framed this coordination as a preemptive strike initiated by Washington and the current Israeli administration.

Despite this bilateral military cooperation, Katz noted ongoing friction with Washington over target selection.

The U.S. is reportedly blocking Israeli desires to strike Iranian energy infrastructure due to persistent fears of a global oil market collapse.