The Israeli Defense Minister touted the IDF’s recent gains near Gaza City and said Palestinians who remain in the area will be considered terrorists. At least half a million Palestinians remain in the city.
“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City itself, facing the IDF’s ongoing operations at full force,” Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X. “Those who remain in Gaza will be considered terrorists and terror supporters.”
צה”ל השלים בשעות אלה את תפיסת ציר נצרים עד לחוף ימה של עזה ומבתר את עזה בין צפון לדרום.
בכך יהודק הכיתור סביב העיר עזה וכל היוצאים ממנה דרומה ייאלצו לעבור דרך נקזי הבידוק של צה”ל.
זאת הזדמנות אחרונה לתושבי עזה המעוניינים בכך לנוע דרומה ולהשאיר את מחבלי החמאס מבודדים בעיר עזה…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 1, 2025
Last month, the IDF launched a ground operation to occupy Gaza City and issued evacuation orders to about one million Palestinians in the region. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled the Israeli onslaught, but about 500,000 Palestinians remain.
Some Palestinians have reported being unable or unwilling to leave Gaza City. The cost of transportation out of the city is exorbitant. Additionally, disabled and injured Palestinians do not have adequate transportation to flee.
Katz said the IDF had expanded the area around the city it controls, and now all Palestinians leaving must pass through Israeli checkpoints. “up to the Gaza coast, effectively dividing Gaza between north and south.” He continued, “This tightens the encirclement around Gaza City, and anyone leaving it southward will be required to pass through the IDF’s inspection checkpoints.”
Israel’s attack on Gaza City has killed thousands of Palestinians and destroyed civilian infrastructure. The IDF has destroyed multiple high-rise residential buildings and medical facilities.
Katz said the Israeli offensive will continue until the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated. However, the IDF chief of staff has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the attack on Gaza City is likely to kill living Israeli captives.
