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

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stern warning to Hamas and its supporters during a ceremony marking the 53rd anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Speaking at the National Memorial Hall in Jerusalem, Katz stated that if a single Israeli soldier or citizen is kidnapped, the entire city of Gaza, including its homes and terror towers, will be evacuated southward, mirroring actions taken in Rafah and Beit Hanoun.

Katz emphasized that Gaza would be treated similarly to how 70% of the Gaza Strip was handled, until the kidnapped individual is returned. He asserted that this is the language understood by terrorist organizations in Gaza and Lebanon, involving population evacuation, infrastructure destruction, and territorial seizure.

He also reiterated Israel's stance on the ongoing conflict, stating that the IDF will not withdraw from the "yellow line" in Gaza to new positions within the Strip until Hamas is eliminated and Gaza is demilitarized. Katz referenced past operations, citing "Gideon's Chariots" as a precedent for the potential evacuation.

Earlier in his address, Katz highlighted Israel's actions against Iran, claiming two preemptive strikes that neutralized Iran's nuclear threat and destroyed strategic capabilities. He warned that if necessary, Israel would strike a third time to overthrow the Iranian regime. He also confirmed the IDF's presence in Syria to protect Israeli borders from jihadist threats and stressed that the military is prepared in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to prevent hostile forces from operating near Israeli communities, learning from the October 7th attacks.