Gaza Herald– The Hamas Movement has strongly condemned Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s threats to assassinate its senior leader Khalil Al-Hayya, describing the remarks as “organized state terrorism” and accusing the Israeli government of escalating its threats despite the ceasefire agreement.
In a statement issued Sunday, Hamas said Katz’s threats reflected the political bankruptcy of the Israeli government and its extremist ministers.
The Movement stressed that threats against its leadership would not change its political positions or deter it from continuing its struggle for Palestinian rights and an end to the Israeli occupation.
Hamas said the threats would only strengthen its leadership’s determination to maintain its stated positions.
Hamas Calls on Mediators to Condemn Israeli Assassination Threats
Hamas urged international mediators to take a firm stand against Katz’s statements, condemn the threats, and pressure the Israeli government to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
The Movement specifically called for implementation of the ceasefire commitments and the peace roadmap sponsored by US President Donald Trump.
Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and demanded an end to Israeli bloody attacks and the lifting of the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people.
The Movement’s statement came amid continuing Israeli ceasefire violations and growing Israeli threats against Palestinian political leaders.
Israel Katz Threatens to Assassinate Khalil Al-Hayya
Earlier Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directly threatened to assassinate Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas political leader, while criticizing Turkey for its relations with the Palestinian Movement.
According to Israeli media reports, Katz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of continuing to “roll out the red carpet” for individuals he described as Hamas killers and attackers.
Katz also alleged that Ankara was supporting activities promoted by Hamas in cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood against Israel and other countries in the region.
The Israeli minister then issued an explicit threat against Al-Hayya, declaring that Israel had not finished targeting Hamas leaders.
“We have killed Hamas leaders in Gaza, and Al-Hayya’s turn will come as well,” Katz said, adding that the Palestinian leader would be sent to join Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas figures “in the depths of hell.”
Israeli Threats Raise Concerns Over Ceasefire Commitments
Hamas characterized Katz’s statements as a continuation of Israeli threats against its political leadership and called on mediators to prevent further escalation.
The Movement maintained that its commitment to the ceasefire remained unchanged despite the assassination threats.
It also reiterated its demands for an end to Israeli attacks, the lifting of the blockade, and the restoration of Palestinian rights.
The exchange highlights the continuing tensions surrounding the ceasefire agreement, with Hamas accusing the Israeli government of undermining efforts to maintain the truce through threats against its leaders.
Hamas stressed that Israeli assassination threats would not force it to abandon its stated positions on Palestinian rights or ending the occupation, while urging international mediators to hold Israel to its ceasefire commitments.
