Israel's defense minister issues annihilation ultimatum to Hamas

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark ultimatum on September 8th, warning Hamas to lay down its arms or be annihilated, as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters.

Writing on X, he ominously declared: “This is a final warning to the Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and put down your weapons — or Gaza will be destroyed and you will be annihilated.”

“Today, a massive hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City and the roofs of the terror towers will tremble,” he continued.

His message follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s similar “last warning,” urging Hamas to accept a deal to release hostages, to which Hamas responded that it was ready to “sit at the negotiating table,” providing there is “a clear declaration of the end of the war, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the formation of a committee of independent Palestinians to manage the Gaza Strip, which would begin its duties immediately.”

At the same time, the Israeli military stepped up its campaign around Gaza City, which it seeks to capture as part of a sweeping offensive. Reuters reported on September 8th that airstrikes clobbered multiple neighborhoods, destroying armoured vehicles and killing at least 25 Palestinians, including journalist Osama Balousha.

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, in his address at the Human Rights Council in Geneva condemned the “open use of genocidal rhetoric” and the “shameful dehumanisation” of Palestinians by Israel’s officials. He warned that Gaza has become “a graveyard,” and insisted Israel faces mounting evidence at the International Court of Justice.

Reportedly, Israel had already gained control over 40% of Gaza City, triggering widespread displacement and intensified civilian suffering, with Israel suggesting that around 70,000 inhabitants fled the city.