Tel Aviv, Feb. 6 -- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said that he had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare a plan allowing any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave the region, with options to exit via land, sea, or air.

He criticised Hamas for using Gaza's residents as "human shields" and extorting money through the humanitarian aid system, while preventing their departure.

Sharing a post on X, Katz wrote, "I have instructed the IDF to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them. Hamas has used the residents of Gaza as human shields, built its terror infrastructure in the heart of the civilian population, and now holds them hos...