Israel’s defense minister warned Monday that Gaza City would be “destroyed” if Hamas did not release remaining hostages and surrender, calling the planned bombardment a “mighty hurricane” of strikes that he said would shake the “roofs of the terror towers.”
Israel Katz posted the message on X, saying, “This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in the luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and lay down your weapons – or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.” He added that the Israel Defense Forces were continuing with current plans and were “preparing to expand the maneuver to defeat Gaza.”
The warning came as Israeli forces have intensified operations in and around Gaza City after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops last month to take the enclave if Hamas did not free all remaining hostages. The military carried out strikes that demolished the multi-story al‑Ruya building in Gaza City on Sept. 7, part of a campaign Israel says is aimed at dismantling Hamas’s remaining capabilities.
U.S. former President Donald Trump also issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas on Sunday, urging the group to accept cease-fire terms he said Israel had accepted. Trump did not specify those terms. Israeli officials have portrayed recent military moves as aimed at compelling a full handover of hostages rather than a partial exchange.
Hamas has said it would release some hostages in exchange for a temporary cease-fire. Israeli leaders including Netanyahu have publicly pushed for an all-or-nothing deal, demanding the release of all hostages and the surrender of militants. The differing positions have contributed to continued military strikes and an intensification of the confrontation.
The conflict’s human toll has mounted. Palestinian health officials and local media reported multiple civilian deaths in overnight strikes, and funerals for victims took place across Gaza. Images from the enclave showed relatives carrying the shrouded body of a child at a funeral following one round of strikes.
Israel says its operations are aimed at degrading Hamas’s military infrastructure and rescuing hostages held since the group’s cross-border attacks. Palestinian health authorities say the strikes have caused significant civilian casualties and damage to residential areas. Independent verification of casualty figures is often difficult amid the fighting.
International responses have been mixed, with calls from some countries and aid groups for de‑escalation and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, while others have signaled support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that continued hostilities risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated territory, where hospitals, water and power supplies have been under severe strain.
Officials on all sides reiterated that a negotiated resolution to the hostage impasse would be central to any cessation of major military operations. Until then, Israeli leaders say they will continue to press military advantages in Gaza City, and the defense minister’s comments signaled a readiness to intensify strikes if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s demands.