Israel Gives Final Warning To Hamas, Says ‘Surrender Or Be Annihilated’

The Israeli Defence Minister has issued a dramatic final warning to Hamas, stating the group must release all hostages and surrender or face total annihilation. The ultimatum comes as Israel’s military operation in Gaza City continues to intensify.

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hamas, giving the group a final ultimatum to release all hostages and surrender or face annihilation. The threat was issued shortly after President Donald Trump delivered his own final warning, prompting a carefully worded response from Hamas that signaled a willingness to negotiate.

In a post on X, Katz wrote, “This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and lay down your weapons—or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.” He also hinted at an impending military assault, stating that a “powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City.”

The Israeli warning coincided with a strong ultimatum from Donald Trump, who used his Truth Social platform to declare, “Everyone wants this War to end! The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”

Hamas Agrees to Negotiate

Shortly after the statements, Hamas issued a response, saying it “is ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration to end the war, a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and creation of a committee of independent Palestinians to run the Gaza Strip.” The group’s statement welcomed any effort to stop the “aggression” against its people and affirmed that it had received “some ideas from the American side.”

This potential for negotiation comes amid a deepening Israeli military offensive in Gaza City. On Sunday alone, an Israeli army airstrike hit a residential tower, killing at least 48 people, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The ongoing assault is part of Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, attack, which saw militants kill 1,200 people and seize 251 hostages, of which 48 are still believed to be in Gaza.