Israeli Defense Minister Threatens Gaza Evacuation Over Hostage-Taking

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a severe warning on Tuesday, September 22, stating that the entire city of Gaza would be evacuated if even one Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted. Speaking at a memorial ceremony on Mount Herzl, Katz directed his threat towards Hamas supporters, extending from Iran to Turkey's President Erdogan. He cited "various intentions and intelligence" as the basis for this warning, without providing further details.

Katz affirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw from the "yellow line" in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated and the territory is disarmed of weapons and tunnels. He reiterated that in the event of an Israeli abduction, Gaza City, including its homes and terror strongholds, would be "cleansed," forcing its million residents to relocate south, similar to what occurred during Operation "Gideon's Chariots-2." The city's fate, he added, would mirror that of Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and 70% of Gaza.

This statement follows an IDF order from the previous week for increased vigilance in Gaza due to fears of Hamas retaliation for the recent assassinations of several high-ranking militants. Among those eliminated were Nail Abu Abid, commander of the Rafah brigade, implicated in planning attacks and the abduction of IDF soldiers and civilians like Adar Goldin and Nimrod Cohen. Other targeted individuals included Ahmad Batash, a Hamas battalion commander, and Mohsen Abu-Hadaf, who led Islamic Jihad's rocket unit and participated in the October 7th attack on Kibbutz Kissufim.

Additionally, Muhammad Yazouri, a Hamas brigade commander in Khan Younis, was killed two weeks prior. Yazouri had held various leadership roles in Hamas's military wing, including heading the intelligence apparatus responsible for planning the October 7th massacre, and had survived previous assassination attempts. The ongoing targeted elimination of Hamas commanders is reportedly hindering the organization's ability to maintain its command structure and operational capabilities.

However, National Union party leader Avigdor Lieberman criticized Katz's statement as an "unsuccessful joke." Lieberman argued that if, three years after the October 7th massacre, intelligence still indicates Hamas's intent to abduct Israelis, it signifies a complete failure of the government. He asserted that Hamas has not been defeated, security has not been restored, and Katz's statement is merely another empty promise from the government.