Hamas condemns Defense Minister Israel Katz for West Bank IDF takeover orders

What Happened

Hamas condemned Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a Telegram post on Tuesday, calling him a terrorist and describing his order for the IDF to take over a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank as a 'fascist and terrorist call.' Hamas accused Katz of ordering the camp's destruction. The statement followed a weekend of violence, including a terror attack at Gilad Farm that killed Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, an artillery battery commander, and Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Benyahu Mellet, 32, a member of Gilad Farm’s local security team. Katz's instruction is one of several recent orders for increased IDF action in the West Bank. Hamas also criticized comments by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding IDF action in other West Bank areas, calling on the UN and international community to condemn Katz. The terror group urged Palestinians to unite and escalate resistance. Separately, the IDF lifted a ban on Palestinian workers entering Israeli West Bank communities, which had been imposed by Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth on Saturday after the Gilad Farm attack, and was lifted on Monday.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange highlights escalating West Bank tensions, as Katz’s order signals a possible intensification of Israeli military operations. Hamas’s call for resistance raises the risk of retaliatory violence, while the involvement of far-right ministers draws international attention. The lifting of the worker ban suggests fluid security dynamics following the Gilad Farm attack.

Watch For

Monitor the targeted refugee camp for IDF takeover actions and any Palestinian protests or attacks. Watch for international diplomatic responses, especially from the UN. Track further statements from Israeli ministers or changes in West Bank security policies, including movement restrictions.