Israel DM: We will inflict ‘heavy blows’ on Hamas ‘that Gaza has not seen’ yet

Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz yesterday warned that Hamas would “receive heavy blows that Gaza has not seen in a long time” unless it allowed the return of the captives it holds and stopped firing rockets at Israel.

This came during his inspection of the city of Netivot in southern Israel, after it was targeted by two rockets from the central Gaza Strip at midnight on Wednesday. The Israeli army said it intercepted one of the projectiles, while the other fell in an open area, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Katz said: “If Hamas does not soon allow the release of the kidnapped Israelis from Gaza, despite Israel’s willingness to make far-reaching concessions, and continues to fire at Israeli towns – it will receive heavy blows that Gaza has not seen in a long time.”

He added that the Israeli army will intensify and enhance its activities in Gaza until the kidnapped are released and Hamas is eliminated.

READ: Israel allocates $150m to sway global opinion over Gaza genocide

Hamas has repeatedly confirmed, over the past months, its readiness to conclude a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement, and even announced its approval of a proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed down from the proposal, putting forward new conditions, most notably the continuation of the genocidal war and said Tel Aviv would not withdraw from Gaza.

Opposition parties and the families of the Israeli captives accuse Netanyahu of obstructing agreements that could lead to the release of their loved ones in an effort to stay in power and not be tried on corruption charges he faces.

Israel has decimated the Gaza Strip, bombing civilian homes and infrastructure. It faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

READ: Nationwide protests erupt in Israel to demand Netanyahu’s resignation