Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz’s first statement following tonight’s airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, “Tonight we returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas' refusal to release the kidnapped and threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities.

If Hamas does not release all the kidnapped, the gates of hell will open in Gaza and Hamas' murderers and rapists will meet the IDF with forces they have never known before.

We will not stop fighting until all the kidnapped return home and all the war's goals are achieved.”