Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Wednesday to unleash "total destruction and devastation" on Gaza if the 59 hostages are not released, asserting that yesterday's airstrike "is only the first step" of what is to come.
“The first (Yahya) Sinwar destroyed Gaza and the second Sinwar will destroy it completely,” Katz said in a video message, referring to the brother of Yahya, the mastermind of the October 7 attack and Hamas leader, who was killed by Israel in October 2024 in Gaza.
"The airstrike against Hamas terrorists was only the first step. The rest will be much more difficult, and they will pay the price," Katz said, before adding that Gazans will again be displaced from their homes, as happened during the Israeli ground offensive, first against the north and then in Rafah (south).
Early Tuesday morning, Israel carried out airstrikes. Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that only military pressure will force the release of the hostages following the impasse caused by his refusal to advance to Phase II of the agreement.
“If all Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not eliminated from Gaza, Israel will act with unprecedented force. Follow the advice of the US president: return the hostages and eliminate Hamas, and other options will open up, including going to other parts of the world for those who wish to do so,” he stated, adding that “the alternative is total destruction and devastation.”
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article.