Israel’s defense minister issued a stark warning Friday, saying Gaza City could face the same devastation as other war-torn areas unless Hamas accepts Israel’s conditions for ending the conflict. This came as a top global food security organization reported severe famine in the city, driven by ongoing fighting and Israel's blockade.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Gaza City might soon resemble the ruins of Rafah and Beit Hanoun if Hamas does not agree to Israel’s demands — which include the full release of hostages and Hamas’ total disarmament.
Posting on X, Katz declared: “The gates of hell will soon open on Hamas’ murderers and rapists in Gaza — unless they accept Israel’s terms.”
Hamas responded by labeling his statement as an admission of war crimes and accused Israel of pursuing ethnic cleansing. The group maintains it will release hostages only in exchange for an end to the war, but rejects disarmament without the creation of a Palestinian state.
U.S. Voices Frustration Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Hamas for prolonging negotiations, saying they’re not motivated to release hostages with so few believed to be alive. He suggested a fast, forceful military operation might actually protect those still in captivity.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he had ordered officials to start immediate negotiations aimed at ending the war — but only on Israel’s terms. It's unclear whether this signals a return to the Egypt- and Qatar-mediated talks that Hamas recently said it accepted.
New Offensive on Gaza City Could Start Soon
With Israeli troops already operating nearby, a large-scale assault on Gaza City could begin within days. Israel claims the city remains a Hamas stronghold with active tunnel networks. It also houses essential infrastructure and a large civilian population, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times.
A proposed ceasefire deal involving phased prisoner exchanges, troop withdrawals, and further negotiations could delay the offensive — but Israeli leaders have resisted similar plans before, partly due to pressure from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners.
There is growing concern in Israel that a new assault could endanger the remaining 50 hostages, about 20 of whom are thought to still be alive. Aid organizations also warn that further fighting could worsen the humanitarian disaster.
Evacuating civilians, especially hospital patients, would be extremely difficult. Residents say fleeing is futile, as nowhere in Gaza is truly safe. Health workers also argue that moving patients is nearly impossible, with no proper facilities available in the south.
Netanyahu insists that the offensive is necessary to both defeat Hamas and free the hostages, saying the two goals are inseparable.
Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage, only eight hostages have been rescued alive. Israel has recovered the bodies of 49 and believes 50 remain in Gaza.
Famine Spreads in Gaza City
A report released Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said Gaza City is now experiencing famine, and the crisis could expand further unless aid access improves and fighting ends. Nearly 500,000 people — about a quarter of Gaza’s population — are facing life-threatening hunger.
Israel rejected the IPC’s findings as false, insisting it has permitted adequate aid. While it has relaxed some restrictions following global outrage over images of starving children, UN agencies report that the aid remains insufficient, especially after a full food import ban earlier this year.
Airstrikes Resume Ahead of Gaza Offensive
As Israel intensifies operations around Gaza City, airstrikes have already begun. Shifa Hospital reported that at least 17 Palestinians were killed Friday, including seven in a strike on a school in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, where displaced people were sheltering in tents. The military said it wasn’t aware of a strike there but confirmed activity in nearby areas.
Amal Aboul Aas, a displaced woman now sheltering in Gaza City after fleeing multiple times, said constant airstrikes have left her trapped. “We have no money, nowhere to go,” she said. “I just hope for a quick death — we’re not going anywhere.”
Regional Tensions Rise
In a separate incident Friday, missile warning sirens sounded in central Israel after a projectile launched from Yemen appeared to break apart in mid-air, scattering debris. The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying the launch targeted Israel’s main airport in retaliation for the crisis in Gaza.
Gaza Death Toll Climbs
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Friday that 62,263 Palestinians have died since the war began, with 273 deaths linked to malnutrition, including 112 children. The ministry, under Hamas’ administration, says about half of those killed are women and children. While Israel disputes these figures, it has not released its own verified casualty data. The UN and independent organizations continue to use the ministry's numbers as the most reliable available.