Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened Palestinian resistance group Hamas with “severe blows not seen in Gaza for a long time” unless it agrees to release hostages and stop firing rockets at Israel, reports. Katz’s remarks came after he visited the southern city of Netivot, which was targeted by two rockets fired from central Gaza yesterday. One of the rockets was intercepted, while the other fell in an open area, reported, citing the Israeli military. “If Hamas does not allow the release of Israeli captives soon, despite Israel’s willingness to make significant concessions, and continues firing at Israeli towns, it will face strong strikes that Gaza has not witnessed in a long time,” Katz threatened.