Israel vowed on Monday to unleash a new wave of intensified airstrikes on Gaza, describing the planned assault as a “mighty hurricane” unless Hamas agrees to surrender and release all remaining hostages.

The warning came as Hamas confirmed it was reviewing a renewed U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal — delivered Sunday — with a stark ultimatum: lay down arms, release captives, or face what Israeli officials call the “complete destruction” of Gaza.

“A mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today, and the roofs of the terror towers will shake,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in the luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and lay down your weapons — or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.”

Strikes Intensify as Ceasefire Talks Stall

Shortly after Katz’s statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck multiple sites across Gaza City, including a 12-story residential building where displaced families had taken shelter. Israel said Hamas operatives were using the area to plan attacks on Israeli forces. Local medics reported at least 40 Palestinian deaths in Monday’s raids.

Among the casualties was journalist Osama Balousha, marking one of nearly 250 journalists killed since the war began — a death toll that Palestinian officials say makes it the deadliest conflict for media workers in modern history. Israel has denied deliberately targeting journalists and continues to block foreign press access to Gaza.

Meanwhile, a shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop left six people dead, including a Spanish national. Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility.

Hostage Deal at the Center of Stalemate

The latest U.S.-backed proposal reportedly demands Hamas release all 48 remaining hostages — both living and deceased — on Day One of a multi-phase ceasefire. In return, talks would begin immediately on a permanent end to hostilities.

Hamas has said it is open to releasing captives but insists that any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a clear commitment to end the war. Israel, meanwhile, has rejected any terms that allow Hamas to remain militarily or politically intact.

A City Reborn Into Ruin

Gaza City, once the epicenter of Palestinian commerce and culture, has become the focus of Israel’s latest military push. After a brief lull in fighting, hundreds of thousands of displaced residents have returned in recent weeks — only to find themselves once again caught in the crossfire.

According to Palestinian health officials, more than 64,000 people have been killed since the war began in late 2023. Israel contests these figures, accusing Hamas of inflating numbers and obscuring militant casualties.

In addition to the soaring death toll, the enclave faces a humanitarian catastrophe: food, water, and medical supplies remain critically scarce, and nearly 400 deaths from starvation — many of them children — have been reported in recent months.

War Roots and the Road Ahead

The war was sparked by a deadly Hamas-led assault in 2023 that left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 people abducted. While many hostages were released during temporary truces in late 2023 and early 2025, dozens remain in captivity.

Despite repeated international mediation efforts, talks have stalled over Israel’s non-negotiable demand for Hamas’ unconditional surrender — and Hamas’ insistence on a path to Palestinian statehood.

As airstrikes intensify and rhetoric hardens, the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough appears increasingly remote — and the cost to civilian life continues to climb.