Israel Warns Gaza Evacuation if Hostage Taken

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas and its supporters on Sunday, stating that the entire city of Gaza 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 declared, "In light of various intentions and intelligence, I am warning here the terror organization and its supporters, from Iran to Erdogan: If a single Israeli soldier or citizen is abducted, the entire city of Gaza, with its homes and terror towers, will be evacuated southward of its million residents, as we did in Gideon's chariots in '48, and will be treated in the same way that Rafah and Beit Hanoun and 70% of Gaza's territory were treated, until their return."

Katz emphasized that this is the language that "Jihadist terror organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand," adding, "This is the language we speak: evacuation of the population, destruction of infrastructure, and taking the territory."

He also addressed the ongoing military preparations in Gaza, asserting that Israel will not retreat to new lines within the Strip until Hamas is eliminated and Gaza is demilitarized of weapons and tunnels. "We will not allow a threat to our communities," he stated.

Regarding Iran, Katz mentioned that Israel has already struck the country twice and that the campaign is not over. "The work is not yet done, and if we need to, we will strike a third time until the terror regime is overthrown and removed," he said.

Connecting his remarks to the lessons of the Yom Kippur War, Katz explained that Israeli forces are currently positioned in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza in security zones beyond the border to prevent terror elements from establishing themselves near Israeli communities.