Katz: IDF will intensify fight against Hamas unless the hostages are released

By Emanuel Fabian

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1 January 2025, 5:48 pm

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

Defense Minister Katz (right) meets with Netivot Mayor Yehiel Zohar at the southern municipality's city hall, January 1, 2025. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens Hamas with “blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time,” if the terror group does not release the hostages it has been holding for the past 14 months and does not stop the rocket fire on Israel.

“If Hamas does not soon allow the release of the Israeli hostages from Gaza, despite Israel’s willingness to make far-reaching compromises in accordance with the principles outlined by the US president, and continues to fire at Israeli communities, it will receive blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time,” Katz says during a visit to the southern city of Netivot.

At midnight last night, Hamas launched two rockets at Netivot, which caused no damage or injuries.

“The IDF will intensify its activities against the terror nests in Gaza until the release of the hostages and the elimination of Hamas,” Katz continues.

“I call on the residents of Gaza to rise up against the murderous Hamas organization, which also uses you as human shields, and to bring about the release of the hostages, to prevent suffering and end the war,” he adds.