Israel's 'Full-Scale' Operations in Gaza May Continue for 'Eight Weeks' More

Four informed officials say Israel expects to continue its full-scale military operations in Gaza for another six to eight weeks. This forecast comes as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. According to Reuters, military commanders believe they can significantly damage Hamas's remaining capabilities during this period. Two Israeli officials and two regional officials, who requested anonymity to speak freely, stated that the comprehensive attack during this time would pave the way for a transition to a 'low-intensity' phase of military operations, such as 'targeted' airstrikes and operations by Israeli special forces in Gaza. Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and negotiator during the first and second Palestinian intifadas in the 1980s and 2000s, said the likelihood of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government responding to international criticism by canceling the ground attack on Rafah is low. He stated that Rafah is Hamas's last stronghold, and units of Hamas remain in Rafah, which Israel must dismantle to achieve its goals in this war. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that witnesses in Lebanon indicated two airstrikes occurred near the coastal city of Ghazieh, about 60 kilometers north of the border with Israel. Israel has regularly bombed southern Lebanon in response to attacks from Hezbollah but has rarely conducted strikes in the northern border area. 'Extraordinary measures' to prevent civilian casualties Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday that the Israeli army is planning operations in Rafah to target fighters, command centers, and Hamas tunnels. However, he did not provide a timeline for this military campaign. Gallant emphasized that 'extraordinary measures' are being taken to prevent civilian casualties. In a press conference, he stated that there were 24 regional brigades in Gaza, of which Israel has dismantled 18, and now Rafah is the new center of Hamas. World leaders are concerned about the potential for a humanitarian disaster following Israel's attack on Rafah. A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters that the group estimates it has lost 6,000 fighters during the four-month conflict. Israel claims to have killed 12,000 Hamas fighters. The Hamas official, who requested anonymity, stated that the governing group in Gaza can continue the war and is prepared for a long conflict in Rafah and Gaza. He said, 'Netanyahu has tough options, and our options are also [tough]. He can occupy Gaza, but Hamas remains standing and fighting. He has not achieved his goals of killing Hamas leadership or destroying Hamas.' Israel has stated that the war will continue to achieve these objectives. Hamas ignited the Gaza war with its surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, when Hamas fighters suddenly attacked southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages. This attack led to extensive retaliatory bombing by Israel and a ground invasion that, according to Hamas officials, has resulted in the deaths of over 28,000 Palestinians. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble due to Israel's attack. Fighting continues in the southern city of Khan Younis, and sporadic clashes persist in northern areas that appear to have been cleared. Over 85% of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been displaced, with most seeking shelter in Rafah, which housed about 300,000 people before the war. Israel: Hamas is seeking a replacement for Yahya Sinwar Wall Street Journal: The U.S. plans to send a new shipment of weapons to Israel Saudi Foreign Minister: The Iranian regime does not seek a wider war in the region Houthi attack on a cargo ship; 'Rubimar' may 'sink'