Israel Warns Hamas: Gaza City Evacuation If Israeli Hostage Taken

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas on Tuesday, September 22, stating that if the organization abducts an Israeli soldier or civilian, the entire city of Gaza, with its approximately one million residents, will be evacuated to the south. Katz made these remarks during a state memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, citing "various intelligence indications of intentions" received recently.

He explained that the evacuation would follow a scenario similar to Operation "Gideon's Chariots B," after which the IDF would operate in Gaza as it did in Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and across 70% of the Strip. Katz emphasized that Israel would not retreat from its current position within the enclave, referred to as the "yellow line," until Hamas is dismantled as a political and military force and Gaza is fully disarmed.

The minister also detailed ongoing IDF operations beyond Gaza, including in Lebanon and Syria, where security zones are being established. He stated these areas have been cleared of populations, buffer zones created, and terrorist infrastructure destroyed, including military-purpose buildings.

Addressing Iran, Katz drew parallels to the events of 53 years ago, claiming the IDF has already delivered two powerful preemptive strikes against Iran, neutralizing a "nuclear threat of annihilation" and eliminating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He asserted that these actions have set Iran back years, but the operation is not over, and a third strike is possible if necessary, with the ultimate goal of regime change.

Katz's warning comes amid a series of targeted operations against Hamas operatives. On September 11, the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Mohammed Yazouri, commander of the Khan Younis brigade, along with a company commander and another operative. On September 15, the IDF and Shin Bet reported the elimination of Nael Abu Ubeid, commander of the Rafah brigade and head of Hamas's operations department, whose movements had been tracked prior to the strike. The previous day, an explosive device detonated near engineering equipment along the "yellow line" without casualties, prompting retaliatory IDF strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.