Former US Defense Secretary's Advice to Israel: The Condition for Eradicating Hamas is a 'Serious Confrontation' with the Islamic Republic

The former US Secretary of Defense states that eradicating the Palestinian militant group Hamas requires one essential condition: a 'once and for all' confrontation with the Islamic Republic. Mark Esper, in an interview with CBS, told Israeli officials: 'To decisively defeat and destroy Hamas, you must prevent their ability to rebuild their military forces, and to do this, you must confront the Iranian regime once and for all and cut off the supply of weapons, money, and other support.' Esper, who served as Defense Secretary during Donald Trump's presidency, expressed opposition to any ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, even at the cost of freeing hostages, adding: 'A temporary ceasefire in war benefits Hamas as it gives this militant group the opportunity to reorganize and arm itself to continue fighting Israel.' The US government has accused the Islamic Republic of providing a significant portion of Hamas's funding, weapons, and training. The US believes that during periods of significant cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Hamas, Iran has provided over $300 million in financial assistance to this group. Tensions between Palestinians and Israelis have escalated following the deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. The militants also took about 240 individuals, including children, women, and the elderly, hostage and transferred them to Gaza. In response, Israel began a blockade of Gaza and launched air, naval, and ground attacks aimed at destroying Hamas. Aid to Palestinians in the south and accounts of the displacement of 250,000 Israelis within their country after the war continue. Hundreds of kilometers of tunnels up to eighty meters deep; the web that Hamas has woven beneath Gaza. A conversation between Siamak Dehghanpour and Arash Sigarachi about the characteristics of reporting on the Israel-Hamas war. A former advisor to Shimon Peres: The consequences of supporting Islamic extremism will affect Europe and America. California police arrested a man on suspicion of killing a Jew. Live blog: G7 foreign ministers welcome the cessation of hostilities; all hostages should be released unconditionally. Continued inspections of the 'Al-Shifa' hospital; Israeli commandos succeeded in discovering Hamas weapons and equipment.