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Israeli Defense Minister Calls on Military to Prepare a “Comprehensive Plan” to Defeat Hamas If Ceasefire Fails

HeadlineOct 17, 2025

Israeli officials say they’re extending the detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya by six months. The pediatrician was kidnapped during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital last December. Meanwhile, Hamas returned the remains of two more dead Israeli hostages but reiterated that it will need specialized equipment to locate bodies still buried beneath the rubble. The U.N. estimates that 55 million tons of debris must be cleared before Gaza reconstruction efforts can begin.

This week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the military to prepare a “comprehensive plan” to defeat Hamas, should the Gaza ceasefire collapse. In Washington, President Trump repeated his threats against Hamas.

President Donald Trump: “They brought back bodies today, as you probably know. But they also said they’re going to behave. We’re going to find out if they behave, if they behave good. If they don’t behave, we’ll take care of it.”

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