Israel warns of ‘mighty hurricane’ in Gaza as it gives ‘final warning’ to Hamas

In what it called a final warning, Israel has told Palestinians in Gaza to leave the region immediately before it launches ramped-up airstrikes and ground operations in a “mighty hurricane”. The military’s threat came as it told Hamas to release the last of the hostages held in Gaza.

Residents said Israeli forces had bombed Gaza City from the air and blown up old armoured vehicles in its streets. Hamas was meanwhile studying the latest US ceasefire proposal, delivered on Sunday, with a warning from President Donald Trump that it was the militant group’s “last chance”.

“A mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today, and the roofs of the terror towers will shake. This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in the luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and lay down your weapons – or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X.

‘Leave now’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told residents of Gaza City on Monday to evacuate, as the military ramped up its deadly assault on the Palestinian territory’s largest urban centre.

On Monday, Israeli forces targeted a fourth high-rise building in Gaza City in as many days, with AFP footage showing the Al-Ruya tower crashing to the ground moments after being struck.

Israel has been intensifying its bombardment of the city in preparation for an operation to conquer it, despite repeated entreaties from Western nations and aid agencies to stop.

Israel accepts ceasefire proposal

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that Israel has accepted US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a press conference with his Hungarian counterpart in Budapest, Saar said that Israel was ready to accept a full deal ending the war that would include the release of hostages and Hamas laying down its arms, according to Reuters.

Once a ceasefire is reached under Trump’s proposal, negotiations would immediately start on the conditions for ending the war, including Israel’s demands for Hamas’ disarmament and Hamas’ demand for a final and complete withdrawal of the Israeli military, according to Axios.

With inputs from agencies