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Israel’s defense minister warned Friday that Gaza City could be destroyed if Hamas does not disarm and release all hostages, as the Israeli cabinet approved plans for a major assault despite international and domestic opposition.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media that “the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza” if the group refuses Israel’s terms, adding that Gaza City would become “Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” referring to southern cities devastated by previous Israeli operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages are linked, announcing that he had instructed negotiators to begin efforts to free all hostages. Israel believes only 20 of the original 50 hostages remain alive after 22 months of conflict.
Hamas had agreed Monday to a 60-day ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt, which would include the release of half the remaining hostages. Netanyahu reportedly rejected the plan, calling for negotiations on terms “acceptable to Israel.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) plan to evacuate Gaza City’s one million residents to shelters in the south before launching a ground offensive. Hamas’s health ministry rejected any actions that could further damage Gaza’s already fragile medical system.
The U.N. warned that escalating attacks in Gaza City are causing high civilian casualties and large-scale destruction. Aid groups have pledged to stay to assist those unable or unwilling to move, amid fears the campaign will worsen an ongoing humanitarian crisis, including a looming famine.
The conflict began after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 62,192 deaths.
With information from BBC.
