Israeli troops are nearing the complete encirclement of Gaza City, Defense Minister Israel Katz says.

Axar.az reports, citing Times of Israel, he says the IDF is currently seizing the western portion of the Netzarim Corridor — south of Gaza City — up to the coast, “bisecting Gaza between its north and south.

“This will tighten the encirclement around Gaza City and everyone leaving it to the south will be forced to pass through IDF checkpoints,” Katz says.

Earlier, the military announced that the Rashid coastal road in Gaza would be closed for northbound movement to Gaza City starting at noon.

“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force,” Katz continues.

He says that those remaining in Gaza City will be “terrorists and supporters of terror.”

“The IDF is preparing for all possibilities and is determined to continue its operations, until the return of all the hostages and the disarmament of Hamas, en route to ending the war,” Katz adds.

His remarks come as Israel awaits the response of Hamas to an American proposal to end the war, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted.