Senior Hamas sources responded Tuesday to Defense Minister Israel Katz’s warning that Gaza City would be evacuated southward if a civilian or IDF soldier is kidnapped. The sources told the Qatari channel Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that they “deny the Israeli claims about preparations for operations or a plan to kidnap Israeli soldiers.”
According to the Hamas sources, Israel is preparing aggression that will include an attack on civilian and government assets in the Gaza Strip. The terror organization called for establishing a committee to verify Israel’s claims. Hamas also claimed it is “committed to the ceasefire agreement” and called on mediators to pressure Israel.
Katz’s warning followed a Channel 14 report regarding concrete intelligence of a Hamas plan to kidnap an Israeli soldier or civilian. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, the defense minister said intelligence had been received indicating Hamas intended to carry out kidnapping operations. Katz warned that if an Israeli soldier or civilian is abducted, Israel will respond with a broad military operation in the Gaza Strip.