A senior Hamas official responded in the Al-Arabi matter to Defense Minister Katz's warning that Gaza City will be evacuated if an Israeli citizen or soldier is kidnapped.

"We deny the Israeli claims regarding preparations to carry out actions or plans to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Israel is preparing for aggression that will include damage to civil and government infrastructure and capacities in the Gaza Strip."

The source called for speeding up the establishment of the agreed committee, in order to reduce Israel's claims, emphasized Hamas' commitment to the cease-fire agreement and demanded that the mediators exert pressure on Israel.