Israel has issued one of its starkest warnings yet to Hamas, with Defence Minister Israel Katz declaring on Friday that Gaza City could be &ldquo;destroyed&rdquo; if the group fails to accept Israel&rsquo;s cease-fire terms.
The warning came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would authorise the military to seize Gaza City. Katz wrote on X that &ldquo;all gates of hell will open on the heads of Hamas,&rdquo; adding that the city could meet the same fate as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which have been reduced to rubble during the ongoing war.
Israel has demanded the release of all hostages and the complete disarmament of Hamas as conditions for halting its offensive. Hamas, however, has insisted it will only release captives if the war ends and a Palestinian state is established.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas&rsquo;s October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted, has since devastated Gaza. Israel says most hostages have been freed through deals, but its operations continue. According to Gaza&rsquo;s health ministry, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, though the figures do not distinguish between militants and civilians.

Defence minister threatens Hamas with ‘gates of hell’ if Israel’s terms are rejected

Israel Warns Gaza City Could Be Destroyed

Defence minister threatens Hamas with ‘gates of hell’ if Israel’s terms are rejected

August 22, 2025 | 18:25 IST