Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has promised to destroy Gaza City if Hamas does not agree to disarm, release all remaining hostages in the territory, and end the war on Israel's terms.

"Soon the gates of hell will open on the heads of the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza until they agree to Israel's conditions for ending the war, first and foremost the release of all hostages and their disarmament," the minister wrote on social media, quoted by AFP.

"If they do not agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun," he added, referring to two cities in Gaza that were almost completely destroyed during previous Israeli operations.

His statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had ordered immediate negotiations for the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza.

Netanyahu added that efforts to free the hostages would accompany the operation to take control of Gaza City and destroy Hamas' stronghold.

Earlier this week, the Defense Ministry authorized the mobilization of about 60,000 reservists to help capture Gaza City.

"These two things — defeating Hamas and freeing all our hostages — go hand in hand," Netanyahu said, without giving details on the next stage of negotiations.

Mediators have been waiting for days for an official response from Israel to their latest ceasefire proposal, which Hamas accepted earlier this week.

Palestinian sources said the new agreement provides for the gradual release of hostages, while Israel insists that any agreement must provide for the release of all hostages at once.

Israel's plans to expand military operations and take over the city of Gaza have sparked international reaction as well as domestic opposition. | BGNES