Israel Katz: If Hamas doesn't free the hostages, the IDF will hit it like never before

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the city of Netivot today (Wednesday) together with Mayor Yehiel Zohar, where he showed solidarity with the city after being the target of Hamas rockets the previous day.

While there, Katz received an update regarding the challenges of the city's residents and those of the region since October 7.

Katz said at the meeting that "I want to deliver a clear message from here to the terrorist leaders in Gaza: If Hamas does not allow the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza soon, despite the willingness of Israel for far-reaching compromises in accordance with the principles outlined by the President of the United States, and continues to fire towards Israeli settlements - it will suffer blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time."

He then elaborated that "the IDF will increase and intensify its activity against the terror nests in Gaza until the hostages are released and Hamas is eliminated."

Katz ended by calling on Gazans to "rise up against the murderous Hamas organization which anyway uses you as human shields, and to bring about the release of the hostages, to prevent suffering and end the war."