Israeli Defense Minister Threatens Gaza City: Will Wreak Destruction if Ceasefire Not Met
Israeli Defense Minister Katz has threatened to reduce Gaza City to rubble if Hamas does not accept Israeli terms of ceasefire, release hostages and disarm itself. "If Hamas does not accept our terms, we will destroy Gaza City like Rafah and Beit Hanoun," Katz said on social media, according to the AFP news agency. He referred to previous military operations, in which Rafah and Beit Hanoun were reduced to rubble by heavy bombardment. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on Thursday that the operation to capture Gaza City and destroy Hamas strongholds would continue, along with urgent negotiations for the release of the hostages. "Defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages will go hand in hand," he said. 60,000 reserve soldiers have been called up in this regard. On the other hand, Hamas has accepted the ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt, but Israel has not yet officially responded. According to Palestinian sources, the new deal includes the release of hostages, while Israel is demanding the release of all hostages at once. Demanding release. The plan to seize Gaza City has sparked global concern and opposition within Israel. According to AFP, 1,219 people were killed in the October 2023 Hamas offensive, while the Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, the majority of them women and children. A post on X said: "If Hamas does not agree to our terms, we will demolish Gaza City, Israeli Defense Minister" — @BBCUrdu References AFP, BBC Urdu, Al Jazeera, News on Air, X Post
