The Israeli government has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening to level Gaza City unless the militant group agrees to disarm, release all remaining hostages, and end the war on Israel’s terms. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to destroy Gaza City if Hamas doesn’t comply with Israel’s conditions, stating that “the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza”.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been escalating, with Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel resulting in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched an offensive that has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The international community has been calling for a ceasefire, but Israel remains resolute in its determination to defeat Hamas.
Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City has sparked widespread condemnation from world leaders, who warn of dire humanitarian consequences. France, Canada, Australia, and the United Nations have all expressed concerns about the potential for mass atrocities and further human suffering. “Nothing can justify the additional mass atrocities that an expanded military operation in Gaza City will entail,” said Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard.
Despite the international outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered immediate negotiations aimed at freeing all the remaining hostages in Gaza. Mediators have been waiting for days for an official Israeli response to their latest ceasefire proposal, which Hamas accepted earlier this week. However, Israel has insisted that any deal must see all captives freed at once, while Palestinian sources say the new deal involves staggered hostage releases.
The conflict has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza, with widespread destruction, displacement, and humanitarian suffering. The United Nations has warned of a looming famine, and human rights groups have condemned Israel’s actions as violations of international law. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
