Israel’s military chief said Tuesday that his forces were “close” to dismantling Hamas in northern Gaza, but warned that the war aimed at eradicating the terrorist group will last “many months.”
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi toured the Gaza Strip and spoke with commanders and soldiers, telling reporters that he was impressed with their efforts.
“The IDF is close to completing the dismantling of Hamas battalions in the northern Gaza Strip,” Halevi said at a news conference in southern Israel, according to the Times of Israel.
“We eliminated many terrorists and commanders, some of them surrendered to our forces and we took hundreds of prisoners. We destroyed a lot of underground infrastructure and weapons,” he added.
But Halevi noted that his troops can still encounter Hamas fighters disguised as civilians in this densely populated urban area, and “you can’t say we killed them all,” he said.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (center) said Tuesday that his forces were close to dismantling the last Hamas battalions in northern Gaza. Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images Halevi, who toured northern Gaza, warned that the war will last “many more months.” Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images
Once the last terrorist battalion is wiped out in northern Gaza, the IDF is expected to reduce the intensity of fighting there while increasing military activity in the southern Gaza Strip.
“The war will last many months and we will use different methods to maintain our achievements for a long time,” Halevi warned. “There are no magic solutions, no shortcuts to dismantling a terrorist organization, only determined and persistent fighting.”
The IDF commander also vowed to eliminate Hamas leaders, no matter how long it takes.
“We will also reach the Hamas leadership, whether it takes a week or months,” Halevi promised.
Israeli forces are eliminating Hamas resistance in the north while intensifying attacks in southern Gaza. AFP via Getty Images
Israel pledged to crush Hamas after its fighters attacked the country on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.
Since then, the IDF’s air, sea and land campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 21,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry.
Israel reported Tuesday that 161 of its soldiers have been killed since it launched its ground offensive.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has reportedly claimed nearly 21,000 Palestinian lives. Ismael Mohamad/UPI/Shutterstock
“We said from the first moments that this would be a long war because it was right to set long-range goals and we will go far, so the duration will be long,” Halvei said.
The length of the conflict will allow the Israeli military to adapt its methods amid growing international pressure for a ceasefire.
“Ultimately, can we say that there is no enemy surrounding the State of Israel? I think it is too ambitious, but we will create a new security situation,” Halevi said, adding that the IDF will not allow a repeat of what happened on October 7.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn