Israel defence minister warns Hamas to surrender or be 'annihilated'

JERUSALEM - Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas on Monday to lay down its arms or face the destruction of Gaza and its own annihilation.

"This is a final warning to the Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and put down your weapons -- or Gaza will be destroyed and you will be annihilated," Katz said on X shortly after US President Donald Trump issued what he described as a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages still held in Gaza.