'Powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City': Israeli minister issues fresh threat

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday threatened to escalate air strikes on Gaza City, particularly targeting high-rise buildings in the northern part of the enclave.

“Today, a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City, and the roofs of the terror towers will tremble,” Katz wrote on the social media platform X.

The statement followed days of intensified bombardment. On Friday, the Israeli army began striking multi-story residential blocks that were sheltering displaced families, saying the sites were being used by Hamas.

Katz added that the military “continues as planned -- and is preparing to expand the maneuver to defeat Gaza,” unless all remaining hostages are freed.

Israel's Defense Minister in a new threat to Gaza:
"Today, a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City, and the roofs of the terror towers will collapse.
This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: Release the… pic.twitter.com/zUorhzDoFN

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) September 8, 2025

Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Of the roughly 50 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, about 20 are thought to be alive.

The attacks have devastated the territory, where famine looms. Human Rights Watch reports that nearly 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure, including homes, has been destroyed, forcing nearly one million people to take shelter in schools and universities.

In August, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan for the military occupation of Gaza City.

International judicial bodies have also weighed in. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Separately, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.