Israel Warns Gaza Residents Will Pay ‘Heavy Price’ if Hamas Attacks Troops

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had placed the military on its highest alert for “any possible scenario” ahead of the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack.

Katz warned that Gaza’s residents would pay a “heavy price” if Hamas attacked Israeli troops.

The warning linked the consequences for Gaza’s population to any attack on the military, rather than directing the threat solely at Hamas.

His remarks came on the eve of the anniversary, with the heightened alert framed as preparation for a range of possible developments. No specific anticipated attack was identified in the statement provided.