Katz: Final chance to leave Gaza; Palestinians who remain will be deemed “combatants” as we tighten the siege and seize the coast

Israel’s military minister, Yisrael Katz, said on Wednesday that anyone who remains inside Gaza City will be classified by Israel as either a fighter or a “supporter of violence”.

Katz said in a press statement on Wednesday that the Israeli army is currently completing control of the Netsarim axis on the western coast of the Gaza Strip, splitting the enclave between north and south.
He said this measure will tighten the siege on Gaza City, and that anyone leaving it to the south will be forced to pass through Israeli army checkpoints.
He described it as a last opportunity for Gaza residents wishing to move south, leaving Hamas fighters isolated in the city to face the Israeli army’s ongoing operations at full force.
He reiterated: “Whoever remains in Gaza will be a fighter or a supporter of violence.”

Katz concluded by saying the Israeli army is prepared for all contingencies and is determined to continue its operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, as part of Israel’s efforts to end the war.
The Israeli army had closed Al-Rashid Street, the main route toward the south of the Gaza Strip.