Israeli defense minister Israel Katz threatened to turn Gaza City “into Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” meaning leaving it in ruins, unless the militant group Hamas agrees to Israel’s conditions for ending the war.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for a fresh offensive into Gaza City, which was approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, August 21. Netanyahu has said Israel intends to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.
“Soon the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza—until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war, foremost among them the release of all hostages and the dismantling of their weapons,” Katz posted to X on Friday morning, originally in Hebrew.
“If they do not agree—Gaza, Hamas’s capital, will turn into Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Exactly as I promised—so it shall be.”
Gaza City is Hamas’ military and governing stronghold, atop of what Israel believes is an extensive tunnel network. It is also sheltering hundreds of thousands of civilians and still houses some of the strip’s critical infrastructure and health facilities.
Hamas said earlier this week that it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, which—if accepted by Israel—could forestall the offensive.
The parties do not negotiate directly and similar announcements have been made in the past that did not lead to ceasefires.
The proposal outlines a phased deal involving hostage and prisoner exchanges and a pullback of Israeli troops, while talks continue on a longer-term ceasefire.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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