Israeli leaders are preparing for another two years of fighting in Gaza as it enters “phase three” of the war.
Ministers have been told the military is now preparing plans to “wipe out” Hamas as a military organistion. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) says it could be done by the summer, but there’s also a chance fighting could last another two years.
The Sun reports defence minister Yoav Gallant as saying: “The war in Gaza will be a long, hard war. It has costs — heavy costs — but its justification is the highest that can be. We need determination, endurance, strength and national cohesion with the goals.
“This is a battle of national determination and I tell you that we will defeat Hamas.”
The war in Gaza will be a long, hard war. It has costs — heavy costs — but its justification is the highest that can be. We need determination, endurance, strength and national cohesion with the goals.
Gallant told the Israel parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee: “We are in a multi-front war and are coming under attack from seven theatres: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Iraq, Yemen and Iran.
“We have already responded and taken action in six of these theatres.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the country’s ambition to destroy Hamas. He suggested ambitious ceasefire plans from Egypt could be dead in the water.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Mr Netanyahu said: “Hamas must be destroyed, Gaza must be demilitarised, and Palestinian society must be deradicalised. These are the three prerequisites for peace between Israel and its Palestinian neighbours.”
“We are in a multi-front war and are coming under attack from seven theatres: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Iraq, Yemen and Iran.
Israel’s offensive against Hamas continued over the weekend with 100 targets struck by jets. It says 10 Hamas fighters were killed during the operation.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its HQ in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis was hit. Hamas now says over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since October 7, when the group launched a surprise attack on Israel.
