Israeli Defense Minister: Gaza War Aims to End Hamas, Prolonged Conflict Possible
Israeli Defense Minister, Ya’alon Gideon, stated that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is aimed at eliminating Hamas and suggested that the military operations could persist for several months. In an interview with a global news agency, Ya’alon rejected demands for a ceasefire following the deaths of innocent civilians and international calls for a cessation of hostilities.
Ya’alon emphasized that the Israeli forces would continue military operations until the return of kidnapped soldiers and the eradication of Hamas in Gaza. He indicated that the process could take several months, but Israel does not intend to maintain a permanent presence in Gaza.
Responding to a question, the Israeli Defense Minister denied committing to any specific deadline for ending the hostilities, stating that during the current phase of the conflict, Israeli forces would conduct extensive ground and air operations in resistance-held areas.
It’s noteworthy that the death toll of Palestinians due to Israeli airstrikes has surpassed 18,000, with over 48,000 reported injuries. Meanwhile, over 1,500 Israelis have been reported dead in the ongoing conflict.
