Ex-IDF General Slams Defense Minister's Gaza Hostage Threat

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Tuesday during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War that if a single Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted in Gaza, the entire city of Gaza, with its homes and terror towers, will be evacuated southward, displacing its million residents. Katz stated this would be done in the same manner as operations in Rafah and Beit Hanoun, and that 70% of Gaza would be dealt with until the hostage's return.

In response, former IDF Brigadier General Ofer Winter, chairman of the 'Am Echad Yisrael' organization, strongly criticized Katz's remarks. Winter expressed disbelief that the Defense Minister would announce intelligence warnings about Hamas planning to abduct Israelis, especially after three years of war. He questioned if they had forgotten October 7th, when 251 soldiers and civilians were abducted, and accused the government of being confused.

Winter argued that Gaza should have been evacuated southward on the second day of the war. Instead of issuing threats, he urged the government to act and implement an 'immigration' policy for Gaza's residents. He emphasized that with intelligence indicating Hamas's intent to repeat its atrocities, Israel's security doctrine must fundamentally change from containment and reactivity to initiative and decisive action.

Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also mocked Katz's threat, calling it 'another joke in the collection.'