Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday warned Hamas to accept the Gaza ceasefire deal proposed by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, "or be destroyed." Witkoff's proposal includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in two phases in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release by Israel of 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians, according to media reports. In a statement issued by his office, Katz said the Israeli military continued its operations in Gaza with full force, carrying out attacks by air, land, and sea on an unprecedented scale, adding After "eliminating the terrorists and clearing the area", the Israeli military will remain to hold the area, said Katz, adding the move aims to achieve the country's goals of releasing hostages and defeating Hamas. A Hamas official said that they received a response from Israel to the proposal put forward by the United States, but the response does not meet their demands. Shotlist: Gaza Strip - May 21, 2025: FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022 1. Various of Israeli Parliament Knesset, national flag of Israel; FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021 2. National flag of Israel; Gaza Strip - May 6, 2025 3. Various of destroyed buildings; Gaza Strip - May 16-17, 2025 4. Various of displaced Palestinians fleeing with belongings, destroyed buildings; Gaza Strip - May 21, 2025 5. Various of camp of displaced Palestinians; 6. Various of people getting food from community kitchen. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]