Israeli Army: Signs of Hamas Defeat Are Evident

According to 'Times of Israel', a senior Israeli army officer states that after attacks on 22,000 targets in Gaza, there have been signs of Hamas's complete defeat in recent days. He said, 'The extent of destruction and damage has posed a command and control problem for Hamas. There are areas in the Gaza Strip where Hamas no longer has military control.' However, he emphasized that 'despite the achievements, we are far from the end of the battle. We will continue operations with great intensity to dismantle all Hamas battalions... about half of the commanders of Hamas battalions have been killed in airstrikes and operations.' According to the report, the Israeli army estimates that around 7,000 Hamas militants have been killed in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army stated that since the beginning of the war, more than 22,000 targets in the Gaza Strip have been targeted in air, naval, and ground operations, with 3,500 of these occurring since the end of a one-week ceasefire that Hamas violated on December 9. These targets include Hamas infrastructure, such as tunnels, weapon storage facilities, command centers, and rocket launch sites, as well as Hamas militants. The Israeli army says it is currently fighting Hamas in Jabalia, Shuja'iyya, and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza and in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Israeli sources estimate that the current intense battle against Hamas in the Gaza Strip will continue for another two months. The Israeli network 'Kan' reports that after this period, there will be no ceasefire, and local operations will be carried out by forces remaining near the border. According to this report, efforts will also be made in the next two months to reach an agreement for the release of more hostages. Kan reports that at some point in the next two months, Israel will allow some residents of Gaza to return to their homes, stating that this is an American request and also an 'operational necessity.' The current war between Israel and Hamas militants began when Palestinian groups affiliated with Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in at least 1,200 deaths. During their terrorist attacks on various areas of Israel, Palestinian groups also kidnapped at least 240 citizens, most of whom were civilians, and transferred them to Gaza. During the temporary ceasefire that was in place from December 3 to December 10, some of these hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, but according to Israeli sources, at least 130 others remain hostages of Palestinian militant groups. Menashe Amir stated: 'If Hamas is not eradicated, this calamity will reemerge with greater intensity in a year or two.' Israeli tanks have entered the center of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Netanyahu criticized Russia's cooperation with the Islamic Republic and the anti-Israeli positions of Moscow officials during a conversation with Putin. The Iran-backed Houthis threatened: 'We will target all ships heading to Israel.' The Israeli army responded to rocket attacks from Lebanese territory. The United States stated: 'We do not support a ceasefire resolution in Gaza; it only sows the seeds for the next war.'