Israel-Gaza latest: Netanyahu warns Palestinians ‘leave now’ before ‘hurricane’ strikes as six killed in Jerusalem
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned residents of Gaza City to leave straight away, as Israel said it would ramp up air strikes on the territory hours after six people were shot dead in Jerusalem.
“I say to the residents of Gaza, I take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned – leave now,” he said at the Air Force Command Centre in Tel Aviv, adding that Israeli forces were organising and assembling in the heart of the war-torn strip for a ground “manoeuvre”.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz warned on social media earlier that “a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City” after the IDF struck numerous high-rises over the past few days.
Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop on the outskirts of Jerusalem, killing six people, in what police described as “a terrorist attack”, one of the deadliest in the city in recent years.
Hamas called it “a natural response to the occupation’s crimes”, but did not admit the murders. Mr Netanyahu vowed to “catch everyone” who aided the gunmen.
