Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza – until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war” Defense

"Soon the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza—until they agree to Israel's conditions for ending the war, foremost among them the release of all hostages and the dismantling of their weapons," Katz said in his post, which was originally in Hebrew.

It was Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas accepted.

Even with ceasefire talks ongoing, Israel is pressing ahead with plans to capture Gaza City, the densely populated heart of the enclave. Mr Netanyahu confirmed earlier this month that the security cabinet had approved an operation to retake the city despite growing international condemnation.

The world's leading body on hunger declared famine in the Gaza Governorate on Friday as the Israeli military vowed to destroy the area if Hamas doesn't agree to its terms.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.

Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.