Israel’s defence minister has warned that ‘the gates of hell will soon open up’ on Hamas if it does not accept a peace deal on the country’s terms.
In a post on X, Israel Katz said: ‘Soon the gates of hell will open for the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza, until they accept the conditions set by Israel for ending the war.’
He added: ‘If they do not accept, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah or Beit Hanoun.’
His comments come after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered talks to free all remaining hostages in Gaza, even as he vowed to push ahead with plans for a major military assault on the region.
On Thursday, warplanes and helicopters flew over Gaza City, striking buildings throughout the day, while artillery fire targeted Shejaiya in the east and Sabra in the south, according to residents.
The move went ahead despite criticism from the international community, Palestinian residents, and thousands of Israelis who protested in recent days.
More than one million people are preparing to flee Gaza City and the surrounding areas as the army orders civilians to evacuate ahead of the expected assault.
Despite the invasion, Netanyahu has said he has ordered negotiations for the release of all the hostages that remain in Gaza.
Smoke rises above the sky in Gaza in the aftermath of Israel’s strikes on Thursday
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered talks to free all remaining hostages in Hamas, even as he pushed ahead with plans for a major military assault on Gaza City
On Thursday, warplanes and helicopters flew over Gaza City, striking buildings throughout the day, while artillery fire targeted Shejaiya in the east and Sabra in the south, according to residents
In a pre-recorded message filmed outside the IDF’s Gaza Division headquarters, he said: ‘I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the defence minister for taking control of Gaza City and for defeating Hamas.’
He added: ‘At the same time, I instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and for ending the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.’
According to the Hamas-run health service in the region, 25 Palestinians have been killed since dawn, including three children.
Meanwhile, Hamas on Monday said it had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal put together by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. In that deal, half of the hostages would be released.
Eighteen bodies of hostages who have died would also be released, under the proposal.
Although Israel previously accepted a similar framework, Netanyahu has recently taken a harder line and has not accepted the offer.
He says there will be no halt to the fighting unless all 50 captives are released at once and Hamas gives up its weapons.
Netanyahu has also insisted on a list of conditions for ending the war, including the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza, full Israeli security control, and a new governing authority that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Pictures released on Thursday showed Palestinians fleeing as strikes rained down behind them in an area where displaced residents lived, according to Reuters
In a pre-recorded message filmed outside the IDF’S Gaza Division headquarters, he said: ‘I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the defense minister for taking control of Gaza City and for defeating Hamas’
On Thursday, he appeared on n TV and insisted that the invasion must go ahead.
He said: ‘We’re going to do that anyway. That there was never a question that we’re not going to leave Hamas there.’
Israel says its forces are already on the outskirts of Gaza City. Brigadier General Effie Defrin said troops were also active in Jabalya in the north and Zeitoun in the south.
He vowed: ‘We will deepen the blows to the terror infrastructure above and below ground, and disconnect the reliance of the population on Hamas.’
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has told the army to ‘shorten the timelines for seizing the last terror strongholds and for the defeat of Hamas.
Pictures released on Thursday showed Palestinians fleeing as strikes rained down behind them in an area where displaced residents lived, according to Reuters.
The Israeli military has confirmed it has warned medical officials and international organisations to prepare for the huge evacuation as it continues its operations.
Under current IDF plans, the entire population of Gaza City is to be moved into shelters in the south.
Palestinians inspecting the damage after the huge Israeli strikes yesterday
Destroyed buildings after the attacks on Thursday. Netanyahu has told the army to ‘shorten the timelines for seizing the last terror strongholds and for the defeat of Hamas
A statement said: ‘The officers emphasised to the medical officials that adjustments are being made to the hospital infrastructure in the south of the Strip to receive the sick and wounded, alongside an increased entry of necessary medical equipment.’
The IDF has called up 60,000 reservists as the war continues. Plans suggest reservists would report in September, bringing the total active force to about 120,000.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged a ceasefire in Gaza, warning the new operation could bring a ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian toll.
Speaking in Japan, he said: ‘It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza… necessary to avoid the death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause.’