Hyderabad, Sept. 17 -- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel's military is prepared to eliminate Hamas in Gaza before the government moves ahead with a proposed "migration plan" for Palestinians.

Katz made the remarks in an X post on Wednesday, September 16, after former Israeli army colonel and Knesset candidate Ofer Winter criticised the military over the continued presence of Hamas commanders in Rafah.

Winter's comments followed Israel's announcement that Nael Abu Obeid, identified by the Israeli military as commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade, had been killed.

In response, Katz said Israeli forces had evacuated residents from Rafah and 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, while destroying tunnels and homes. He also said the Isra...