Defense Minister Katz: IDF Completing Netzarim Corridor Takeover

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces are completing their strategic takeover of the Netzarim Corridor, a critical strip of land that now divides the Gaza Strip into northern and southern zones.

“This will tighten the encirclement around Gaza City,” Katz stated. “Anyone leaving it southward will have to pass through the IDF’s inspection checkpoints.” He urged civilians still in northern Gaza to move south, emphasizing that this may be their final opportunity to avoid being trapped with Hamas operatives in a city under siege.

“Those who remain in Gaza City will be terrorists and terror supporters,” Katz added, underscoring the Israeli military’s zero-tolerance policy toward combatants and collaborators alike.

The Netzarim Corridor’s seizure marks a major operational milestone, effectively cutting Hamas's access between the northern and southern parts of Gaza and tightening control over one of the terrorist group’s most vital strongholds.

Following Katz’s statement, the IDF confirmed that troops stationed along the corridor have been actively working to disrupt Hamas's military capabilities, targeting weapons storage, tunnel networks, and command infrastructure.

As expected, Hamas issued a fiery response via Telegram, accusing Katz of “ethnic cleansing” and “forced displacement.” The terror group dismissed the military operation as a violation of international law allegations Israel strongly rejects, especially given its ongoing efforts to warn and evacuate civilians ahead of strikes.

The development comes as Israel continues its focused campaign to dismantle Hamas’s leadership and infrastructure following the October 7 massacre, in which over 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 251 hostages taken. The military’s objective remains clear: eliminate the terror threat while minimizing harm to civilians wherever possible.

With the Netzarim Corridor now under IDF control, Hamas’s grip on Gaza City is more isolated than ever, leaving its fighters surrounded and increasingly vulnerable. The message from Israel’s defense leadership is unambiguous time is running out for those who side with terror.

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