'Won't be a picnic': Hamas warns Gaza City occupation plan to cost Israel ‘a heavy price’

CAIRO – 8 August 2025: Hamas has slammed recent Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City and evacuate its inhabitants as a “fully-fledged war crime” that will “come at a heavy price” for the occupation.

The Israeli so-called security cabinet announced on Friday approving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal for seizing Gaza City, located in the north of the enclave, and imposing security control over the entire enclave.

The five-point plan also indicates the establishment of an alternative civil administration unaffiliated with either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, disarmament of Hamas, the return of all captives, and demilitarisation of Gaza.

The scheme has drawn global backlash, including from Israel’s closest allies in the west like the United Kingdom and Germany.

Belgium has summoned the Israeli ambassador following the decision, calling the “continued colonization” of Palestinian territories “unacceptable and contrary to international law.”

Moreover, the Israeli opposition called the plan “a disaster,” and the families of captives who are believed to be still alive inside Hamas tunnels expressed concerns over the fate of their beloved ones.

In a Telegram post on Friday, Hamas stated that the Israeli government is persisting in its “policy of genocide, forced displacement, and brutal practices that amount to ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.”

The Palestinian movement also accused Netanyahu and the Israeli government of being indifferent to the fate of their captives, knowingly risking their lives by expanding the operations.

Warning about the consequences of the plan, Hamas asserted that “this criminal adventure will cost [Israel] a heavy price.”

“It will not be a picnic,” Hamas warned. “Our people and the resistance are unbreakable and will never surrender.”

Hamas said they hold the US administration fully responsible for the ongoing Israeli crimes in light of the American political cover and direct military support for this aggression.

They called for the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities, take urgent action to stop this plan, and hold the Israeli leaders accountable for their crimes against Palestinians.

The movement reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire talks, which have been mediated by Egypt and Qatar but was recently abandoned by Israel and the US.

Hamas affirmed that they remain open to reaching a comprehensive deal that includes the release of all captives in one go in exchange for stopping the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 61,250 Palestinians in Gaza, devastated essential infrastructure including hospitals, schools and bakeries, killed hundreds of aid workers, and left the enclave on brink of famine with over 200 dead from hunger, half of them children.

Israel has repeatedly rejected Hamas’ offers for the release of all captives, alive and dead, in exchange for a permanent ceasefire that paves the way for Gaza’s reconstruction and facilitates aid deliveries to starving civilians.

Israel is facing accusations of committing crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity at international courts and Netanyahu, alongside former defense minister Yoav Gallant, are now wanted by the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) for such allegations.