Israeli Defense Minister: The Gaza War Will Not End Without the Destruction of Hamas

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, stated that Israel will not end the war in Gaza until Hamas is completely destroyed. According to the Times of Israel, Gallant told a group of Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border: "No one is helping the terrorists; it is only us who decide what to resolve first and what second." He emphasized that Israel will not conclude this war without eliminating Hamas. Gallant asserted that there will be no scenario where the Gaza war ends but Hamas remains intact. He stated, "Hamas will not exist as a governing organization. This task (eliminating Hamas's governance) will take time." Israel launched a comprehensive assault on Gaza following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7. Israel claims that Hamas has demonstrated a threat to its existence and must be eradicated from Gaza. It is unclear how long this objective will take. However, Israel's military operations, which have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands in Gaza, have faced significant criticism, and the Israeli government is under pressure to cease the war. Israel asserts that Hamas, a group supported by the Islamic Republic that is on the terrorist lists of various countries, has over decades placed its infrastructure in civilian centers in Gaza and uses civilians as human shields, which is why civilian casualties are high. The Islamic Republic executed another individual on charges of having connections with Israel. The Houthis, supported by the Islamic Republic, stated they will continue to sink British ships. Hamas negotiators are traveling to Cairo; Israel intensified its attacks on Khan Younis. Israel will not participate in ceasefire negotiations without receiving the names of living hostages.