By admin 
Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Hamas with “unimaginable consequences” as part of an escalating pressure campaign aimed at securing the release of hostages without withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza. Reports indicate that Israel is preparing to tighten its blockade on the region under what officials are calling the “hell plan.”
Rising Tensions Over Ceasefire Extension
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire ended over the weekend, but no progress has been made toward the second phase, which was meant to begin last week. As a result, both sides are gearing up for a return to full-scale war.
Speaking in parliament on Monday, Netanyahu warned Hamas: “There will be consequences that you cannot imagine” if the remaining hostages were not released. Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced the threat, saying, “If they do not free the hostages, the gates of Gaza will be locked, and the gates of hell will open.”
As part of the “hell plan”, Israel has already halted all goods and supplies entering Gaza, warning of harsher restrictions, including cutting off electricity and water. The government is also considering forcing northern Gaza residents to relocate south, potentially setting the stage for renewed military action.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Undermining Ceasefire
Hamas has strongly opposed Israel’s strategy, accusing Netanyahu’s government of deliberately sabotaging the ceasefire to avoid progressing to the second phase, which could lead to a permanent end to the conflict.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan called Israel’s push for an extension “a blatant attempt to avoid negotiations.” He added, “Israel worked hard to collapse the agreement.”
Global Backlash Over Israel’s Blockade
The Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid has sparked international condemnation, including from truce mediators Egypt and Qatar.
- Germany stated that denying humanitarian access “is not a legitimate negotiation tactic.”
- Britain called for Israel to allow the entry of aid, emphasizing that humanitarian assistance “must not be blocked.”
- The UN and other governments in the region have also spoken out against Israel’s actions.
Arab Leaders Push for Gaza Reconstruction Plan
As tensions rise, Arab leaders are set to meet in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a reconstruction plan for Gaza. Their goal is to counter a controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which reportedly involves the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has caused massive destruction:
- Over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed in the initial attack.
- Israeli airstrikes have since killed nearly 48,400 people in Gaza, most of them civilians.
- Out of 251 hostages, 58 remain in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead, according to Israel.
Violence Spreads to Israel
For the first time since the ceasefire began, a stabbing attack in Haifa on Monday left one person dead and four injured. The attacker, a member of Israel’s Druze minority, was killed by security forces. Authorities have yet to determine a motive.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces struck a motorized vessel off the coast of Khan Yunis, and in a separate incident, fired on two suspects approaching troops in Gaza.
With the ceasefire on the brink of collapse, Israel’s “hell plan” signals a potential escalation in the conflict, increasing fears of a renewed military offensive in Gaza.
Gill Bikram Singh