Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the hostage deal and IDF withdrawal in Gaza Strip, saying that "Israel's great challenge after the hostage return phase will be destroying all of Hamas's terror tunnels in Gaza directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism that will be established under US leadership and supervision." According to him, "This is the main significance of implementing the agreed principle of demilitarizing Gaza and neutralizing Hamas's weapons. I have instructed the IDF to prepare for carrying out this mission."