Defense minister threatens Hamas: If no hostages freed soon, ‘gates of hell will open’

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at an event marking 33 years since the death of former prime minister Menachem Begin, in  Jerusalem, March 3, 2025. (Shlomi Amsalem/ Defense Ministry)
Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at an event marking 33 years since the death of former prime minister Menachem Begin, in Jerusalem, March 3, 2025. (Shlomi Amsalem/ Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens Hamas that if the terror group does not release Israeli hostages soon, “the gates of hell will open.”

Speaking at an event marking 33 years since the death of former prime minister Menachem Begin, Katz says that “despite the Hamas terror organization’s recurring violations and its refusal for the framework offered by President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Witkoff, we responded to the mediator’s request to allow a few more days of negotiations. And in the meantime, we have stopped the humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“Hamas should make no mistake, this is just the beginning. If Hamas does not release the hostages soon, the Gaza gates will be locked and the gates of hell will open,” he says.

“We will return to fighting and [Hamas] will face the IDF with strength and methods that it has not known, until [Hamas] is totally defeated. We will not allow Hamas to rule in Gaza,” Katz adds.

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