Israel Warns of "Mighty Hurricane" Escalation in Gaza
Israel escalates Gaza offensive with ultimatum threats as Trump-mediated ceasefire talks reach critical juncture
Image: Gdud 97, July 2025 (photo: Israel Defense Forces / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Israel delivered its starkest ultimatum in months, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning that "a mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today" unless Hamas releases hostages and surrenders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Gaza City residents to "leave now" as forces prepared for an expanded ground offensive.
The Israel Defense Forces struck several high-rise buildings in Gaza City following Katz's warning, with the military saying Hamas had used the structures for surveillance and planted explosive devices nearby. Israeli strikes and ground operations Monday killed at least 40 Palestinians, including journalist Osama Balousha.
The escalation follows President Donald Trump's weekend ultimatum to Hamas, declaring Israel had accepted his ceasefire terms and warning the militant group this was their "last chance." According to a senior Israeli official, the latest U.S. proposal calls for Hamas to release all 48 remaining hostages on the first day of a ceasefire.
The war has devastated Gaza, with more than 64,000 Palestinians confirmed killed according to health officials, while six more Palestinians died of malnutrition Monday, raising such deaths to at least 393 people. Hamas has long insisted it will not lay down arms until negotiations guarantee an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal.
The tactical dilemma persists: Israel can destroy infrastructure and leadership nodes, but translating military gains into sustainable political outcomes remains unresolved. Each escalatory cycle risks deepening humanitarian collapse while inviting wider regional confrontation from Iranian-aligned groups.
Our Take: The humanitarian threshold is the thin line. If crossed decisively, Israel could achieve tactical victories while suffering strategic erosion—fueling radicalization, straining normalization tracks, and prolonging instability. Military pressure without diplomatic progress risks pyrrhic outcomes.