Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday night declared that the war against Hamas has entered its “decisive phase,” warning that Gaza faces total destruction if the terror group refuses to release hostages and disarm.
“If Hamas does not release all the hostages and disarm, Gaza will be destroyed and Hamas will be annihilated. We will not stop until all the war goals are achieved,” Katz said.
He noted that more than 750,000 Palestinians have already fled southward from Gaza City despite Hamas threats. “Terrorist towers have been demolished and terrorist infrastructure destroyed,” Katz said, adding that Israel is employing autonomous vehicles to clear explosives and providing “heavy and powerful” air and artillery cover for advancing troops.
🎯STRUCK: A high-rise building that was used by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza City.
Hamas lookout posts were found inside the building, which were used to coordinate and execute terror attacks against IDF troops in the area.
Prior to the strike, several steps were… pic.twitter.com/JRF77yisIA
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 26, 2025
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reinforced Katz’s message during a tour of frontline positions, telling soldiers that Hamas’s governing capacity has “collapsed” and that the enemy is now fighting in “guerrilla-like patterns.” He urged troops to persevere and “eliminate the last pockets of resistance in Rafah.”
The 98th Paratroopers Division has expanded its operations inside Gaza City—what the IDF called a “dense and complex environment.” The military reported killing multiple gunmen, destroying weapons stockpiles, and striking a high-rise building used by Hamas to coordinate attacks.
Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force struck 120 targets, including Hamas observation posts, rocket launch sites, and underground infrastructure. The IDF said it continues to issue warnings and employ precision munitions to minimize civilian harm, while accusing Hamas of “brutally exploiting” Gaza’s population as human shields.
⭕️OPERATIONAL UPDATE:
📍Gaza City:
IDF troops along with the IAF dismantled military structures & combat compounds, and identified and eliminated several terrorists firing an anti-tank missile.📍Southern Gaza:
IDF troops eliminated terrorists and dismantled observation… pic.twitter.com/IoB52n2KQ6— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 28, 2025
As the war approaches its two-year mark, Katz’s warning signals a stark reality: unless Hamas surrenders its weapons and frees the hostages, Gaza itself faces obliteration. Because one way or another, things will not go back to how they previously were.
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