Israel Warns Hamas: Kidnapping Soldier Means Evacuating Gaza City

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas and its supporters, including Iran and Turkey, stating that Israel will not withdraw from its current positions in Gaza until Hamas is removed, and the Strip is disarmed of tunnels and weapons. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, Katz declared that if a single Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted, the entire city of Gaza, with its homes and "terror towers," will be evacuated southward, displacing its million residents.

Katz drew a parallel to past Israeli operations, referencing "Gideon's Chariots" and the treatment of Rafah and Beit Hanoun, where 70% of Gaza's territory was affected. He asserted that this aggressive approach, population evacuation, infrastructure destruction, and territorial seizure, is the language that "Jihadist terror organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand."

The Defense Minister reiterated that Israel will not retreat to new defensive lines within Gaza until its security objectives are met. The warning underscores Israel's firm stance on preventing further abductions and its commitment to dismantling Hamas's military capabilities.