Sydney - Middle East Times Int'l: Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, announced yesterday, Saturday, that it has become possible to postpone the planned incursion into the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip if an agreement is reached to release the Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa flood on October 7th.

Minister Katz said during an interview with Channel 12 TV, "The release of the hostages is our top priority."

In response to a question about whether this includes postponing a planned operation to eliminate Hamas brigades in the city of Rafah, Katz replied, “Yes... if there is an agreement, we will suspend the operation.”