Defense minister says ‘Gaza will be razed’ if no Hamas surrender

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Gaza will be reduced to rubble if Hamas does not disarm and free the hostages it has held for 23 months, his latest bellicose threat as the military prepares to invade Gaza City and brings down several mid-rise towers.

“An unprecedented hurricane hit Gaza yesterday,” Katz writes on X. “Thirty multi-story terror buildings were attacked and destroyed and dozens more terror targets were bombed and demolished, to thwart infrastructure for observation and terror, and pave the way for ground forces.”

סופת ההוריקן היכתה אתמול בעזה בעוצמה חסרת תקדים. 30 בנייני טרור רבי קומות הותקפו ונהרסו ועוד עשרות רבות של מטרות טרור הופצצו והושמדו, לסיכול תשתיות התצפית והטרור ופילוס הדרך לכוחות המתמרנים.
אם מחבלי החמאס לא יניחו את הנשק וישחררו את כל החטופים – הם יושמדו ועזה תיחרב. pic.twitter.com/YnK30yCFxg

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 9, 2025

The post is accompanied by a video showing the collapse of the al-Ruya tower in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood yesterday, after Katz had promised that “a powerful hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City.”

Palestinian reports said several high-rises were targeted in attacks Monday, though the Israel Defense Forces only confirmed hitting two.

In recent days, the IDF has conducted several strikes on Gaza City high-rises it said were used by Hamas to conduct operations against troops, after warning residents to flee.

“If Hamas terrorists do not lay down their arms and free all the hostages, they will be destroyed and Gaza will be razed,” Katz says.