Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas against attempting any new kidnappings of Israelis
By Sammy Tisser,
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas against attempting any new kidnappings of Israelis, saying there are "various intentions and intelligence" indicating possible plans to abduct soldiers or civilians.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Katz said that if "even one Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped," Gaza City's roughly one million residents would be ordered to evacuate south. He also threatened extensive strikes on the city's buildings and infrastructure, saying it would be dealt with "in the same way that Rafah and Beit Hanoun" were during the war.
Katz directed the warning at Hamas and its supporters, specifically mentioning Iran and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "This is the language" armed groups in Gaza and Lebanon understand, he said, describing Israel's approach as "evacuating the population, destroying the infrastructure and taking the territory."
He also reiterated that Israel would "not withdraw from the Yellow Line" to new positions inside Gaza as long as Hamas remains active and the Strip has not been disarmed of weapons and tunnels. Katz did not provide further details on the intelligence behind the alleged kidnapping plans.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Gaza
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.