ISRAEL has warned “the gates of hell will open” in Gaza if Hamas refuses to release all of the remaining hostages.
The horror toll of the 22-month war has been laid bare today after famine was officially declared in Gaza City for the first time.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, backed by the UN, has labeled the crisis in Gaza as “entirely man-made,” highlighting severe malnutrition across the conflict-stricken Strip.
According to recent data from the Gaza health ministry, at least 251 civilians have succumbed to malnutrition, with nearly half of those being children.
The declaration marks just the fifth time famine has been announced since it was established in 2004.
Around 500,000 Palestinians remain in Gaza City – the last remaining Hamas stronghold.
Israel has described the hugely built up civilian area as the epicentre of Hamas’ operations.
Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed today to destroy Gaza City to rid it of terrorists entirely.
This situation coincides with the initiation of phase one of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II by IDF troops, which involves encircling the city with thousands of soldiers to prepare for a final takeover offensive.
Katz issued a stern warning to the terror group via social media, outlining what they could face during the military assault unless they comply with Israel’s conditions to end the conflict.
He stated: “Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza—until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war, chiefly the release of all hostages and their disarmament.”
“If they do not agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun.”
Both of those cities have already been largely dismantled during Israeli operations in the past.
The strong words came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had ordered immediate negotiations with Hamas.
They are aimed at freeing all the remaining hostages in Gaza, believed to be around 50, and allowing Israel to take control of Gaza City.
The PM announced: “These two matters — defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages — go hand in hand.”
Recent peace talks had sparked hope this week that the Gaza City siege could be halted if both sides can agree to a deal.
A proposal, already backed by Hamas, would see a partial deal involving the release of 10 alive hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.
Israel is still reviewing the proposal but officials are signalling they are unlikely to accept it as it doesn’t involve all 50 hostages being freed.
It is unclear if Netanyahu can be persuaded into agreeing to anything less than what he has demanded.
The operation commenced on Wednesday, with IDF forces beginning activities in the Zeitoun and Jabalia areas adjacent to Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.
Katz said they are laying the groundwork for a further offensive set to commence in a matter of weeks which will involve the encirclement of the whole city.
A surge of troops, tanks and army vehicles will then all storm in to pierce the heart of Hamas until complete operational control is achieved.
Plans are ramping up after the Israel Defense Forces called up 60,000 reservists in preparation for the assault on Wednesday.
Hours later, huge explosions tore through Khan Younis as Israeli military spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin said the IDF will continue to “deepen the blows to Hamas in Gaza City, a terror stronghold”.
Mustafa Qazzaat, head of the emergency committee in the Gaza municipality, described the situation as “catastrophic”.
UN Secretary General António Guterres warned an immediate ceasefire must be agreed “to avoid death and destruction”.
The plan to seize control of Gaza City has been met with international backlash.
France went directly against the US and Israel by announcing it will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September.
Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer vowed he would recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel agrees to end the “appalling” crisis in Gaza.
Other world leaders have cited the devastating humanitarian situation – now confirmed through the famine declaration – as set to worsen if the plans go ahead.
Israel have fiercely defended their Gaza assault plans, saying it is the only way to beat Hamas.
And a defiant Netanyahu accused the terror group of refusing to “lay down its arms” – leaving Israel “no choice but to finish the job”.
To counter the humanitarian concerns, Israel’s government say they will help to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground.
They plan to build several more aid distribution centers as well as two field hospitals at key points in the Strip to treat Gazan civilians.
Israel’s offensive since the horror October 7 massacre has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza.
