Israel defense chief threatens Gaza City evacuation if Israelis taken hostage

Key facts

• Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to evacuate Gaza City's one million residents southward if any Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped.
• Katz stated Gaza City would be treated similarly to Rafah and Beit Hanoun, with measures remaining until all captives are released.
• The threat was made at a memorial ceremony for Israeli soldiers killed in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.
• Katz cited "various intentions and intelligence" as the basis for his warning.
• The remarks come amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and ahead of upcoming elections.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to force approximately one million residents of Gaza City to evacuate southward if any Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped. Katz stated that Gaza City would be treated similarly to Rafah and Beit Hanoun, with measures remaining in place until all captives are released. He issued this warning at an annual memorial ceremony for Israeli soldiers killed in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, citing "various intentions and intelligence."

The threat comes as Israeli forces continue their military operations in Gaza and as the country prepares for elections. The Jerusalem Post reported that Katz said the IDF would not partially withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, a stance that might persist until at least the US midterm elections on November 3. However, after that date, there are hints that the Trump administration may push for partial Gaza withdrawals in exchange for partial disarmament actions by Hamas.

Katz also stated that Israel had struck Iran twice with "powerful preemptive blows" and would strike a third time if necessary to topple the regime. He added that the IDF is establishing security zones "devoid of residents" in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, destroying terror infrastructure above and below ground.