Katz reiterates U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements, adding that the new phase of the Gaza war would be different in intensity and would not end without defeating Hamas and freeing all hostages.

If Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages by Saturday, Feb. 15, all hell will break loose, exactly as U.S. President Donald Trump promised, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday.

Katz also threatened Hamas terrorists, stating that “if they stop releasing the hostages, then there is no agreement, and there is war.

“The new Gaza war will be different in intensity from the one before the ceasefire – and it will not end without Hamas’ defeat and the release of all the hostages,” Katz said.

“Every ceasefire agreement with Hamas terrorists was meant to secure the swift release of the Israeli hostages, who are being held under the harshest conditions in Gaza,” Katz stated.

Israel “agreed to pay a heavy price in return,” he added.

President Trump’s Plans for Gaza

Katz also referenced President Trump’s plans for the Gaza Strip, including mass relocation of Palestinians and developing the territory into a riviera, stating that the resumption of war between Israel and Hamas terrorists would “enable the realization of Trump’s vision for Gaza.”

Katz had just held a meeting in the IDF Operations Directorate command bunker, accompanied by IDF Operations Directorate Chief Major General Oded Basiuk, and Head of the Operations Division Brigadier General Israel Shomer.

Katz clarified he came to the command bunker to meet the senior IDF figures in order to “ensure that the IDF is properly prepared for the resumption of the war in Gaza.”

Donald Trump to Jordan’s Abdullah: All Hostages Must Be Released by Saturday

At their White House meeting on Tuesday, Trump told King Abdullah of Jordan that Hamas must release all hostages, including all Americans, by Saturday and asked for the King’s assistance in ensuring that Hamas and leaders of the region understand the severity of the situation, the White House said Wednesday.

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Hamas is a terrorist organization that should not be allowed to be part of the government in any part of Gaza.

“This is an unhealthy situation. They need to go,” Witkoff added.

“Donald Trump said everything we need to know” Saturday, 12:00,” Witkoff concluded, referring to the deadline by Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Hamas to return all hostages.

Trump told Abdullah that the U.S. is going “to take Gaza” during their meeting. “Palestinians will live safely in another location that is not Gaza,” he said, adding that the U.S. wasn’t going to buy Gaza but rather “run it very properly.”

King Abdullah Visibly Shaken While Commenting on Trump’s Gaza Plan

International media highlighted the tense demeanor of King Abdullah during his meeting with Trump. The king appeared nervous, concerned and embarrassed, frequently blinking as Trump presented conditions that seemed more like orders than proposals.

CNN reported that while Abdullah, seated beside Trump, did not directly reject the president’s idea, his discomfort was evident. He hinted that alternative proposals for Gaza would soon be introduced.

“This is not a complex thing to accomplish,” Trump told Abdullah in the Oval Office. “And with the United States controlling that piece of land — a rather large piece of land — you will have stability in the Middle East for the first time.”

Abdullah responded cautiously, emphasizing regional considerations. “I think we have to remember, there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab states,” he said. “I think the point is, how do we make this work in a way that is good for everyone?” Later, he added, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Al Jazeera noted the king’s diplomatic approach, noting that he avoided direct confrontation with Trump while subtly pointing to an Egyptian-led alternative. Multiple international media outlets highlighted that Trump’s statements made Abdullah visibly shift uncomfortably in his chair and blink profusely as he underscored the importance of an Arab plan for Gaza.

“I must consider the best interests of my country,” he stated, suggesting that any decision should wait until Egypt’s proposals were presented.

Abdullah Seeks to Ease Tensions

In an effort to ease tensions, Abdullah announced that Jordan would accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza for medical treatment — an initiative that Trump praised. However, the president continued to push his vision of transforming Gaza into a coastal resort with hotels and housing for people from across the Middle East.

Yoni Ben-Menachem, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, analyzed the meeting, describing the king’s response as a strategic concession.

“The king ultimately made a small retreat. He came very well prepared to this meeting to avoid a direct confrontation with Trump,” Ben-Menachem said. He added that the decision to accept 2,000 Gazan children was a calculated move to sidestep conflict, one that Trump readily embraced.