Israel’s Katz warns of ‘gates of hell’ if captives not released
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has reiterated that if Hamas does not release the captives it holds in Gaza, then the “gates of hell will open”.
Katz’s latest statement comes amid ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, through mediators the US, Qatar and Egypt, as they negotiate key obstacles hindering a deal, including the entry of aid trucks and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israel’s Ben-Gvir, Smotrich call on Netanyahu to end ceasefire talks
Far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have called for ceasefire negotiations to end with Hamas and for the total destruction of the group.
On X, Ben-Gvir wrote in a post directed at Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas was continuing to “extort Israel and bring about more and more concessions” during the talks.
“Continuing down this path does not lead us towards absolute victory. With Hamas, there is no need to talk. Hamas must be destroyed. No humanitarian aid, and no surrender deals,” he said.
Similarly, Smotrich, who also directed his message on X to Netanyahu, wrote that the time had come to close talks on a partial deal and launch an assault on the “conquest of Gaza and the humanitarian separation plan until Hamas is subdued and all hostages are released”.
The comments come amid reports from Israeli media that the Palestinian group gave a “disappointing” response to a ceasefire proposal.
However, Hamas has not yet commented on reports of its response.
Palestinian teen killed by Israeli forces near Jenin
Israeli forces have shot and killed a teenager in the town of Arrabeh, south of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, Wafa reported. The Israeli forces were stationed at the western entrance to the town and fired directly at Ibrahim Imad Ahmed Mahmoud Hamran, 14, killing him.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed to Wafa that its crews received the child and transferred him to a hospital in Jenin.
Hamran becomes the second teenager killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank in the last 24 hours, as Ibrahim Nasr was killed after being shot in the chest by Israeli forces in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, last night.
Since January, at least 44 people have been killed in the Jenin governorate by Israeli forces.
What's the excuse for the West bank?
