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Israel’s Defence Minister Katz cautioned that Gaza City might be devastated to the same extent as Rafah and Beit Hanoun.
People sit near makeshift burners, used to extract fuel from melted plastic (Image: AP)
Amid the ongoing conflict, Israel’s defence minister issued a strong warning to Gaza City, saying that it could be destroyed if Hamas doesn’t agree to Israel’s terms. His remark came only a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to authorise a major military operation to capture Gaza City.
Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Gaza City could suffer the same level of destruction as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which were heavily damaged earlier in the war.
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“The gates of hell will soon open on the heads of Hamas’ murderers and rapists in Gaza — until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war,” Katz wrote in a post on X.
He reiterated Israel’s conditions for a ceasefire: the release of all hostages and the full disarmament of Hamas. While Hamas has offered to free the captives if the war ends, it refuses to disarm unless a Palestinian state is established.
Earlier this week, Hamas announced its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal put forward by Arab mediators, which, if approved by Israel, might delay the ongoing offensive.
However, the two sides do not engage in direct negotiations, and similar statements have been made previously without resulting in actual ceasefires.
The proposed plan involves a gradual process, including the exchange of hostages and prisoners and a withdrawal of Israeli forces, while discussions continue toward a more permanent ceasefire.
Israeli officials have so far rejected these terms, especially after abandoning a comparable agreement earlier this year due to disagreements within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition and strong resistance from his right-wing allies.
Many Israelis are concerned that a military assault could put at risk the lives of about 20 hostages still held since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations and world leaders warn that it would aggravate Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
About the Author
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her…Read More
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her… Read More
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