Israel defence chief threatens to evacuate one million Palestinians from Gaza

Israel defence chief threatens to evacuate one million Palestinians from Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened to force about a million people in Gaza City to flee south if an Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped, citing what he called “various intentions and intelligence”.

Katz made the remarks at an annual memorial ceremony for Israeli soldiers killed in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

“In light of various intentions and intelligence, I warn the terror organisation and its supporters, from Iran to Erdogan: if even one Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped, the entire Gaza City’s… one million residents will be evacuated southward,” Katz said.

The threat comes as Israeli forces continue their military operations in Gaza and as the country prepares for elections next month.

Katz has made a series of increasingly genocidal statements in recent weeks.