World Israel threatens Gaza's residents with "complete destruction" if Hamas doesn't hand over hostages

Israel's defense minister threatened earlier this week to open "the gates of hell" in Gaza if Hamas refuses to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demands, and Israel has been delivering. At least 58 people were killed in a third consecutive night of airstrikes up and down the Palestinian territory, bringing the death toll to an estimated 500 people since the ceasefire was shattered with Tuesday's shock pre-dawn Israeli missile barrages, according to the enclave's Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

"Residents of Gaza, this is a final warning," he said in a video broadcast Wednesday afternoon. "If all the Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not eliminated from Gaza Israel will act with forces you have never known before. Take the advice of the U.S. President. Return the hostages and eliminate Hamas, and other options will open up for you — including going to other places in the world for those who wish. The alternative is complete destruction and devastation."

Less than 2% of the Palestinian populatiom support or identify with the Hamas organization.

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As The Genocide Continues: 22nd anniversary of the killing of Rachel Corrie

Twenty-two years ago, the Israeli military killed 23-year-old American activist Rachel Corrie by running her over with a Caterpillar D-9R bulldozer while she was standing in front of a Palestinian family’s home in Gaza to prevent its demolition.

Since Rachel's death, Israeli soldiers have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and numerous international activists. The brutal oppression of Palestinians, the very reason Rachel went to Gaza, has only intensified. Today, her parents remind us that she would have continued to passionately advocate for global solidarity with Palestinians if she were still alive.

UN report of sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees “horrifying”

 

Sari Bashi from Human Rights Watch unpacks a UN report accusing Israel of systemic sexual violence and genocide.

Trump issues Gaza ceasefire ultimatum to Hamas as he warns 'all hell is going to break out' if hostages not returned

Donald Trump says the Gaza ceasefire should be cancelled if all remaining Israeli hostages are not returned by noon on Saturday - as he warned Hamas that "all hell is going to break out".

He also said Palestinians would not have the right to return under his plan for US "ownership" of Gaza - contradicting officials in his administration who said they would be relocated temporarily.

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