Israel’s army chief said on Tuesday his forces were “close” to dismantling Hamas in northern Gaza – but warned that the war aimed at wiping out the terror group would last “months.”
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the Gaza Strip and spoke with commanders and soldiers, telling reporters that he was impressed by their efforts.
“The IDF is close to completing the dismantling of the Hamas battalion in the northern Gaza Strip,” Halevi said at a press 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 captured hundreds of prisoners. We destroyed a lot of underground infrastructure and weapons,” he added.
But Halevi noted that his troops would likely encounter Hamas fighters masquerading as civilians in this dense urban area, and “it cannot be said that we killed all of them,” he said.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (center) said Tuesday his forces were close to dismantling the last Hamas battalion in northern Gaza. Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images Halevi, who visited northern Gaza, warned that the war would last “for months.” Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images
Once the last terrorist battalions are eliminated 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 continue for several months and we will use different methods to maintain our achievements for a long time,” Halevi warned. “There are no magic solutions, no shortcuts in destroying terrorist organizations, only persistent and persistent fighting.”
The IDF commander also vowed to eliminate Hamas leaders, no matter how long it takes.
“We will reach the Hamas leadership as well, whether it takes a week or if it takes months,” promised Halevi.
The Israeli army is eliminating Hamas resistance in the north while increasing attacks in southern Gaza. AFP via Getty Images
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after its fighters attacked the country on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.
The IDF’s air, sea and land campaign in Gaza has since killed nearly 21,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Israel reported Tuesday that 161 of its soldiers had 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 moment that this will be a long war because it is right to set long goals and we will reach far, that is why the duration will be long,” said Halvei.
The duration of the conflict will allow the Israeli military to adjust its methods amid growing international pressure for a ceasefire.
“Finally, can we say that there is no enemy surrounding the nation of Israel? I think that is too ambitious, but we will create a new security situation,” Halevi said, adding that the IDF will not allow what happened on Oct. 7.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
