Israel’s defence minister advised Hamas on Monday to put down its arms or face annihilation, after US President Donald Trump mentioned the militant group should settle for a deal to launch hostages in Gaza.
The warnings got here because the Israeli army intensified its bombings and operations round Gaza Metropolis, which it has vowed to seize in a bid to lastly defeat Hamas after practically two years of devastating battle.
At the least 48 folks have been killed in Israeli assaults in Gaza on Sunday, whereas one other 10 have been killed in strikes round Gaza Metropolis in a single day, the civil defence company reported. AFP has contacted the Israeli army for remark.
Hamas, whose unprecedented October 2023 assault on Israel sparked the battle, mentioned shortly after Trump’s feedback that it was prepared for quick talks, however the phrases it gave for a deal appeared largely unchanged from earlier rounds of negotiations.
“This can be a ultimate warning to the Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza and in luxurious lodges overseas: Launch the hostages and put down your weapons — or Gaza might be destroyed and you’ll be annihilated,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz mentioned on X.
“Right now, a large hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza Metropolis and the roofs of the fear towers will tremble,” he wrote, including that the army was “getting ready to increase” operations to overcome Gaza Metropolis.
Israel has not publicly introduced the beginning of its offensive to grab town, however on Sunday it bombed a 3rd high-rise in as many days, saying it was being utilized by Hamas “to observe the placement of… troops within the space”.
Hamas has denied utilizing residential buildings for army functions.
Trump mentioned Sunday he was issuing a “final warning” to the group, insisting it settle for a deal to launch the hostages seized throughout militants’ October 2023 assault. The Israeli army says 47 hostages stay in Gaza, together with 25 believed to be useless.
“The Israelis have accepted my phrases. It’s time for Hamas to simply accept as effectively. I’ve warned Hamas in regards to the penalties of not accepting. That is my final warning,” Trump mentioned on social media, with out elaborating additional.
– Prepared to barter –
In a press release launched shortly after Trump’s, Hamas mentioned it was able to “instantly sit on the negotiating desk” following what it described as “some concepts from the American facet geared toward reaching a ceasefire settlement”.
In change, it mentioned it needed “a transparent declaration of the top of the battle, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the formation of a committee of unbiased Palestinians to handle the Gaza Strip, which might start its duties instantly”.
US information outlet Axios reported that White Home envoy Steve Witkoff despatched a brand new proposal for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal to Hamas final week.
The White Home has not launched any particulars in regards to the proposal, however late Sunday Trump mentioned “you may be listening to about it fairly quickly”, portraying the negotiations in a optimistic mild.
“I believe we will have a deal on Gaza very quickly,” he advised reporters.
In early March, Trump issued an identical ultimatum to Hamas, demanding it free all residing hostages instantly and switch over the our bodies of the useless, saying if not, “it’s OVER for you”.
Hamas agreed final month to a ceasefire proposal that concerned a 60-day truce and staggered hostage releases.
Israel, nevertheless, has demanded the militant group launch all of the hostages directly, disarm and relinquish management of Gaza, amongst different situations.
Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel resulted within the deaths of 1,219 folks, principally civilians, in accordance with an AFP tally primarily based on Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed a minimum of 64,368 Palestinians, most of them civilians, in accordance with figures from the well being ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers dependable.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas imply AFP is unable to independently confirm the tolls and particulars supplied by the civil protection company or the Israeli army.