Defense minister tells Hamas to accept Witkoff proposal ‘or be destroyed’

Defense Minister Israel Katz again threatens Hamas to accept a US-proposed ceasefire and hostage deal, or face destruction.

“The IDF continues its operation in Gaza with full force, striking and dismantling Hamas strongholds, while evacuating the local population from all combat zones and attacking the area from the air, land and sea at an unprecedented scale to ensure maximum protection for our soldiers,” he says in a statement.

“After eliminating the terrorists and clearing the area, the IDF will remove all threats according to the Rafah model, and remain to hold the area,” Katz says, referring to Israel’s plans to capture large areas of Gaza, raze most buildings and hold on to the territory for the foreseeable future.

“This way, we will achieve the objectives of the war: The release of all hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” he says.

“The Hamas murderers must now choose: accept the terms of the ‘Witkoff deal’ for the release of the hostages, or be destroyed,” he adds, referring to US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff’s proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, which was reportedly accepted by Israel.