Israel Threatens Gaza City with Destruction Over Hostage Crisis

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, issued a stark warning on Friday regarding the potential destruction of Gaza City unless Hamas complies with Israel’s demands. This announcement comes amid escalating violence and a humanitarian crisis that has left the city facing severe shortages of food and essential supplies due to ongoing conflict and an Israeli blockade.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his approval for a significant military operation aimed at seizing control of Gaza City. Katz emphasized that the city could be reduced to rubble, likening it to areas such as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which have suffered extensive destruction during the conflict. He stated, “The gates of hell will soon open on the heads of Hamas’ murderers and rapists in Gaza — until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war.”

Israel’s demands for a ceasefire include the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the complete disarmament of the group. In response, Hamas labeled Katz’s comments as “a confession of committing a crime that amounts to ethnic cleansing,” reiterating its stance that it would negotiate the release of captives only in exchange for a halt to hostilities and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Hamas during a press briefing, criticizing the group for their lack of interest in negotiations. He stated, “The situation has to end. It’s extortion, and it has to end.” Trump further suggested that a swift military intervention might ensure the safety of the remaining hostages.

Negotiations for the release of hostages have been complicated. Netanyahu’s office announced on Thursday that officials were instructed to pursue immediate talks aimed at securing the release of captives and achieving a favorable resolution to the conflict. It remains unclear whether Israel will re-engage in discussions mediated by Egypt and Qatar, especially after Hamas indicated earlier this week their acceptance of a new proposal from these mediators.

As ground troops mobilize in strategic locations, a large-scale offensive in Gaza City could commence within days. Israeli forces claim that the city remains a stronghold for Hamas, with a web of militant tunnels complicating military operations. The ongoing presence of civilians, many of whom have already been displaced, adds to the urgency of the situation.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza City has deteriorated significantly. A report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) announced that nearly half a million people in Gaza face catastrophic hunger, marking the first confirmed famine in the region. This alarming statistic highlights the dire need for humanitarian aid, which many organizations argue is insufficient, particularly following a complete ban on food imports imposed earlier this year.

In the midst of this turmoil, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated. The toll includes deaths attributed to malnutrition, which have now reached 273, with 112 of these being children. Although the Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, independent experts consider its figures to be among the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.

As military operations intensify, Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported that at least 17 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. Eyewitness accounts and hospital records confirmed that the strike resulted in multiple fatalities among those seeking shelter. The Israeli military stated that it was not aware of the specific strike but confirmed ongoing operations around Gaza City.

Many civilians, like Amal Aboul Aas, who has been displaced multiple times, find themselves trapped in increasingly perilous conditions. “We do not have the money, the resources or the energy to evacuate again,” she lamented. “I just wish for a quick death right where I am here because I am not going anywhere.”

As the conflict continues to escalate, international leaders and humanitarian organizations are raising alarms about the worsening crisis. Aid groups warn that renewed fighting will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The logistics of evacuating civilians are daunting, with many residents feeling that there is nowhere safe to go.

Netanyahu has maintained that the military offensive is essential for both securing the release of hostages and dismantling Hamas. “These two things — defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages — go hand in hand,” he asserted during a visit to a command center in southern Israel.

With the fate of hostages still uncertain and humanitarian conditions worsening, the stakes in Gaza City remain alarmingly high as the world watches for any signs of resolution.