Israel Warns Gaza Will Be Evacuated If Soldier or Civilian Abducted

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Sunday, stating that the entire Gaza Strip would be evacuated southward if a single Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War at the National Memorial Hall on Mount Herzl, Katz asserted that the IDF is prepared in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, in powerful security zones devoid of residents.

Katz emphasized that Israel would not retreat from its current positions in Gaza to new lines within the Strip until Hamas is removed and Gaza is disarmed of weapons and tunnels. "Given various intentions and intelligence," he declared, addressing terror organizations and their supporters from Iran to Turkey, "I warn from here: if one Israeli soldier or citizen is abducted, the entire city of Gaza will be evacuated southward, along with its million residents."

The Defense Minister also stated that the IDF is currently positioned in powerful security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, which are empty of residents. He reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from its current lines in Gaza to new positions within the Strip until Hamas is eliminated and Gaza is demilitarized.