Defense Minister Warns Hamas: Kidnapping One Israeli Will Lead to Gaza Evacuation

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from its current positions in the Gaza Strip until Hamas is dismantled and the territory is demilitarized. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers from the Yom Kippur War, Gallant emphasized that Israel's objective is to eliminate Hamas and remove its weapons and tunnels.

Gallant issued a direct warning to Hamas and its supporters, including Iran and Turkey, regarding potential abductions of Israelis. "In light of various intentions and intelligence, I hereby warn the terrorist organization and its supporters, from Iran to Erdogan: If a single Israeli soldier or citizen is kidnapped, the entire city of Gaza, its homes, and its terror towers, will be evacuated southward of its million residents," Gallant declared. He referenced past operations, stating the evacuation would be conducted similarly to how Rafah and Beit Hanoun were treated, and that 70% of Gaza's territory would be dealt with in the same manner until the abducted individual is returned.

He further elaborated that this policy represents the language that terrorist organizations in the region understand. "This is the language that jihadist terrorist organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand, and this is the language we speak: evacuation of the population, destruction of infrastructure, and taking the territory," Gallant concluded.