Katz warns Hamas and its supporters: "If a soldier is kidnapped – Gaza City will be evacuated"

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that intelligence has been received regarding Hamas's intention to kidnap soldiers or settlers, and declared that in such a case, all of Gaza City would be evacuated southward. The warning was also directed at Hamas supporters from Iran to Erdogan. The remarks were made at a memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Yom Kippur War.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said this morning (Tuesday) at a memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Yom Kippur War that intelligence has been received regarding Hamas's intention to carry out kidnapping operations. Katz warned: "If an Israeli soldier or settler is kidnapped, all of Gaza City, with its million residents, will be evacuated southward, as we have done in the past." The warning was also directed at Hamas supporters outside the Strip, including Iran and Turkey. The remarks were made against the backdrop of unusual incidents near outposts in the Strip, including footage of a suspect approaching an IDF outpost and a terrorist crossing the yellow line to a distance of about 100 meters from an outpost. Katz made clear that any kidnapping attempt will be met with a harsh action against Hamas.