Katz threatens to destroy rest of Gaza City, evacuate one million Gazans if hostage taken

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a threat on Tuesday, stating that if Hamas takes a single Israeli hostage, provoked by Iran or Turkey, Israel would destroy the remaining parts of Gaza City and force approximately one million Gazans to evacuate. Katz asserted this was the only way to deter Israel's jihadist enemies. He also declared that the IDF would not make any partial withdrawals from the 63% of Gaza it controls until Hamas is fully disarmed. This stance is expected to hold until at least the US midterm elections on November 3, after which the Trump administration may renew efforts for partial withdrawals in exchange for partial Hamas disarmament.