Israel Warns Gaza City Will Be Evacuated South if Israeli is Kidnapped

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Tuesday during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, stating that the entire city of Gaza would be evacuated southward if a single Israeli soldier or citizen is abducted.

Speaking at the national memorial hall on Mount Herzl, Katz addressed terror organizations and their supporters, including Iran and Turkey, declaring, "If a single Israeli soldier or citizen is kidnapped, the entire city of Gaza, with its homes and terror towers, will be evacuated south with its million residents." He likened the potential action to past operations in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, where significant portions of Gaza were affected, and vowed that Gaza would be "treated in the same way" until the return of any abducted Israeli.

Katz asserted that this is the language that jihadist terror groups in Gaza and Lebanon understand, emphasizing a strategy of "evacuating the population, destroying infrastructure, and taking territory." He drew parallels to the Yom Kippur War, stating that Israel faces similar existential threats today but will not be defeated as it was not in 1973.

The Defense Minister also highlighted Israel's actions against Iran, claiming to have delivered "preventative strikes" that removed the threat of nuclear annihilation, eliminated a key figure, and set back Iran's strategic capabilities. He indicated that Israel would strike Iran a third time if necessary to overthrow its regime.

Katz further detailed the IDF's current posture in border areas, including Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, explaining that buffer zones have been established as a lesson from the October 7th attacks. These zones are cleared of residents, and the IDF is actively operating within them, building outposts and destroying terror infrastructure above and below ground, including buildings used as terror strongholds.

He reiterated Israel's commitment to not retreating from its current lines in Gaza until Hamas is removed and Gaza is demilitarized, vowing to prevent any threat to Israeli communities.