Israeli Defense Minister Threatens Gaza Evacuation Over Hostage Crisis

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas and its allies on Tuesday, stating that the entire city of Gaza, with its million residents, would be evacuated if a single Israeli soldier or civilian is taken hostage. Speaking at a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem for soldiers fallen in the Yom Kippur War, Katz declared that Gaza would then be treated "in the same manner as Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and 70% of the Gaza Strip territory" until the abducted individual is returned.

Katz asserted that this approach is the "language that jihadist terrorist organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand," emphasizing a strategy of "evacuating the population, destroying infrastructure, and taking control of territory." He indicated that this warning was issued "in light of different intentions and intelligence information" and was directed at Hamas and its supporters, "from Iran to Erdoğan."

The Defense Minister also ruled out any further withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza until the nation's objectives are met. "We will not withdraw from the yellow line to new deployment lines inside Gaza until Hamas is overthrown and the Gaza Strip is demilitarized of its weapons and tunnels," he stated. He added that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would maintain deployments in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to establish security zones beyond Israeli borders, a strategy informed by the October 7th attacks and aimed at preventing jihadist groups from settling near Israeli communities.

Reflecting on the Yom Kippur War, Katz claimed that Israel had conducted two major preemptive strikes against Iran, destroying strategic capabilities and setting back its nuclear program by several years. He warned, "The mission is not yet over. If necessary, we will strike a third time, until the terrorist regime is overthrown."

Katz concluded his remarks by honoring fallen IDF soldiers and security personnel, attributing Israel's military and diplomatic achievements to their "courage, heroism, and sacrifice."