Defense Minister Warns of Hostage Scenario in Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Tuesday during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, cautioning against the possibility of an Israeli soldier being abducted along the "yellow line" in Gaza. Katz stated that Israel will not retreat from its current positions in Gaza to new lines within the Strip until Hamas is removed and Gaza is demilitarized.

"Given various intentions and intelligence, I am warning the terror organization and its supporters, from Iran to Erdogan, that 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," Katz declared. He referenced past operations, stating Gaza would be treated similarly to Rafah and Khan Yunis, with 70% of its territory affected.

Katz emphasized that this approach, involving population evacuation, infrastructure destruction, and territorial control, is the language that jihadist terror organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand. He added that the IDF is prepared in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, establishing powerful security zones beyond the border as a lesson from the October 7th attacks.

These security zones, he explained, are cleared of residents, and the IDF is actively operating within these areas, establishing outposts and destroying all terror infrastructure both above and below ground, including buildings used as terror strongholds.