Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed Friday to destroy Gaza City if Hamas did not agree to disarm, release all remaining hostages in the territory and end the war on Israel’s terms.
“If they do not agree to Israel’s conditions for the release of all hostages and their disarmament, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” the minister posted on social media, referring to two cities in Gaza largely razed during previous Israeli operations.
The statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Thursday that he had ordered immediate negotiations aimed at freeing all the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Netanyahu added that the push to release the hostages would accompany the operation to take control of Gaza City and destroy the Hamas stronghold.
Later Friday, the Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative was set to release its latest figures regarding hunger in Gaza.
