JERUSALEM ( WNAM MONITORING): Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Wednesday evening with “severe blows not seen in Gaza for a long time” unless it agrees to release hostages and stop firing rockets at Israel.
Katz’s remarks came after he visited the southern city of Netivot, which was targeted by two rockets fired from central Gaza in the early hours of Wednesday.
One of the rockets was intercepted, while the other fell in an open area, Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported, citing the Israeli military.
“If Hamas does not allow the release of Israeli captives soon, despite Israel’s willingness to make significant concessions, and continues firing at Israeli towns, it will face strong strikes that Gaza has not witnessed in a long time,” Katz threatened.
He added that Israel would intensify its military activities in Gaza until the hostages are freed and Hamas is eliminated.
Hamas has repeatedly expressed its willingness in recent months to negotiate a prisoner swap and a cease-fire. In May, the group even agreed to a proposal from US President Joe Biden.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later rejected the proposal, citing new conditions, including the continuation of the military campaign and the refusal to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza.
The Palestinian movement insists on a complete halt to the fighting and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Opposition leaders and families of Israeli hostages accuse Netanyahu of blocking a deal to maintain his political position, with extremist ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatening to topple the government if any cease-fire in Gaza is agreed upon.
The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed over 45,550 victims, mostly women and children, since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for N
