Oct 7: Israel says Gaza population will pay ‘heavy price’ if forces are harmed

Israel has placed its military on high alert ahead of the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, a retaliatory attack by Hamas in retaliation for decades-long occupational crimes committed by Israeli forces, with Defence Minister Israel Katz warning that Gaza would pay a “heavy price” if Israeli forces were harmed.

Katz’s office said on Tuesday that the decision was based on intelligence about possible attacks by Hamas against Israeli forces in Gaza on the anniversary, AFP reported.

The instruction was issued “in light of intelligence regarding Hamas’s intentions to attempt to carry out attacks and terror operations against our forces in Gaza on that day”, Katz’s office said.

“If, heaven forbid, our forces are harmed, the ones who will pay the heavy price will be Hamas and the population of Gaza — beyond all proportion,” the statement added.

In the last three years, the Israeli military offensive has devastated much of Gaza and killed more than 74,200 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is under Hamas authority. The United Nations considers the ministry’s figures reliable.

Since a ceasefire was declared in October 2025, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,440 people in Gaza, according to the ministry.

During a state ceremony on Monday marking three years since the October 7 attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be “no Hamas rule in Gaza”.

Netanyahu also vowed that Israel would continue targeting anyone involved in the October 7 attack or in holding hostages.