Israel could evacuate 1 million Gazans if Hamas tries to abduct another IDF soldier, threatens DM Katz

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that Hamas is planning to abduct Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, threatening harsh retaliation if the terror group carries out such an operation.

His comments, which came at the state memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on Tuesday, drew strong criticism from political rivals, amid accusations that he was trying to exploit the issue for his election campaign.

Katz warned: “If even one Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted, the entire city of Gaza, with its homes and terror towers, will be evacuated of its one million residents southward – as we did in Operation Gideon’s Chariots II – and will be dealt with in the same way that Rafah and Beit Hanoun were dealt with, as well as 70% of the territory of Gaza, until he is returned.”

“This is the language that the jihadist terrorist organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand, and this is the language we speak: evacuating the population, destroying the infrastructure, and taking the territory,” Katz added.

The defense minister noted that his warning followed “intelligence reports” and was addressed not just at Hamas but also “its supporters – from Iran to [Turkish President] Erdoğan.”

Ynet News reported last week that Israeli troops stationed in the Gaza Strip were instructed to heighten their vigilance amid concerns that Hamas could seek to retaliate for a string of targeted killings of senior terrorists in the Strip by kidnapping an Israeli soldier.

On Monday, the terror group detonated an explosive device when an IDF engineering vehicle drove over it, in the third violation of the ceasefire since the beginning of the month. The IDF launched airstrikes in response.

Katz’s comments drew quick responses from political rivals. Ofer Winter, leader of the new hawkish Amcha Israel (People of Israel) party, slammed him for not reacting more strongly to the intelligence: “Excuse me??? You apparently forgot that this has already happened. On October 7, 251 soldiers and civilians were abducted! You’re confused. Gaza should have been evacuated on the second day of the war, with the population pushed southward. Instead of issuing threats, start carrying out emigration!”

Winter added: “You have a warning that the terrorist organization that massacred, murdered, raped, and also abducted hundreds of civilians is planning to do it again – and you are threatening what will happen if they actually do it?”

The retired Brig.-Gen. demanded that “Israel’s national security doctrine must fundamentally change,” replacing “policies of containment and reactive response” with “initiative and decisive victory.”

Avigdor Liberman, leader of the hawkish Yisrael Beitenu opposition party, sarcastically noted that the fact that Hamas can still plan such operations after three years of war “says more than anything about the bankruptcy of the October 7 massacre government.”

“Hamas has not been defeated, security has not been restored, and Katz’s statement is another joke to add to the government’s collection of empty declarations,” charged Liberman.

In addition, the “Israel Border Communities Forum,” called for Israel to draw on the lessons of the Oct. 7 failures and respond to Hamas’ intentions, not only once attacks have occurred.

“We demand effective action to militarily and politically dismantle Hamas. Every hair on the head of a soldier or a resident of the Gaza-border communities is your responsibility – and under your watch.”

The IDF said Monday that “during routine activity by IDF troops in the Yellow Line area, an IDF engineering vehicle drove over an explosive device. No IDF injuries were reported. This constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement by the Hamas terrorist organization.”

“In response, the IDF struck Hamas infrastructure that was used by the terrorist organization to advance attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.”

Among the most notable of the recently killed Hamas terrorists was Rafah Brigade commander Nayal Abu Obeid, who was involved in the abduction and captivity of Israeli soldiers and civilians over the years.

Dozens of other terrorists have been killed at a pace of almost one per day over the past few weeks.

An IDF officer told Ynet News that the elimination of Abu Obeid “is the kind of operation we prepare for over a long period. A tremendous amount of effort, overtime and work with numerous partners goes into it. We have known the target for some time.”

“After his predecessor was eliminated, he led efforts to rebuild the Rafah Brigade in a hawkish and aggressive manner. He worked on force buildup, expanding weapons capabilities and terrorist activity against the troops,” the officer added.

“Recently, he was one of Hamas' most prominent and influential brigade commanders. Every decision in the Rafah Brigade went through him.”