Wia dis foto come from, Reuters
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- Author, James Gregory
- Role, BBC News
Israel defence minister say dem go destroy Gaza City if Hamas no agree to disarm and release all hostages.
Israel Katz comments dey come afta di Israeli cabinet approve plans for a massive assault on Gaza City, despite widespread international and domestic opposition.
On Monday, Hamas agree to a proposal by Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a 60-day ceasefire, wey according to Qatar go see di release of half of di remaining hostages in Gaza.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently reject dis, say e bin don give instruction for negotiations to begin for di release of all remaining hostages and an end to di war in Gaza on terms wey dey “acceptable to Israel”.
Israel believe say only 20 of di 50 hostages still dey alive afta 22 months of war.
Israeli media bin cite an Israeli official wey say dem go despatch negotiators for renewed talks once dem determine a location.
For one video statement during a visit to di Gaza division headquarters in Israel on Thursday night, Netanyahu say im bin don “instruct dem to immediately begin negotiations for di release of all our hostages”.
“I don come to approve di IDF [Israel Defense Forces] plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas,” e tok.
“Dis two matters – defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages – dey go hand in hand,” Netanyahu add, without providing details about wetin di next stage of talks go entail.
Reinforcing Netanyahu message, Defence Minister Katz bin post on social media on Friday: “Soon, fi gates of hell go open upon di heads of Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza – until dem agree to Israel conditions to end di war, primarily di release of all hostages and dia disarmament.
“If dem no agree, Gaza, di capital of Hamas, go become Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” e add.
Both cities dey reduced to ruins following Israeli military operations.
Gaza Hamas-run health ministry say dem reject “any step wey go affect wetin remain of di health system”.
Di UN say to intensify attacks and “relentless bombardment” for Gaza City dey cause a “high numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale destruction”. Dem and aid groups don vow to stay to help those wey no fit or choose not to move.
Netanyahu announce Israel intention to take control of di entire Gaza Strip afta indirect tok wit Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal break down last month.
Di Israeli military bin launch a campaign in Gaza in response to di Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, wia about 1,200 pipo bin dey killed and dem take 251 odas hostage.
At least dem don kill 62,192 pipo for Gaza since den, according to di territory health ministry. Di ministry figures dey quoted by di UN and odas as di most reliable source of statistics available on casualties.