Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli military operations have caused great destruction in the Gaza Strip and in some areas of Lebanon. According to Katz, about 70 percent of Gaza's territory has been destroyed. "In Gaza, we don't just destroy what's underground, we destroy all the houses," Katz declared. He also spoke about 24 villages in southern Lebanon, saying that buildings in these areas have been completely destroyed. Katz claimed that between 15,000 and 20,000 homes were destroyed in these 24 villages.