Israel’s highest-ranking military officer has cautioned that the conflict in Gaza is likely to persist for “several more months” due to the necessity of a protracted and resolute battle to completely eradicate the Palestinian militant group Hamas and prevent its swift resurgence as a threat.
Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Herzi Halevi, emphasized to journalists on Tuesday that there are no quick fixes or magical solutions in the process of dismantling a terrorist organization. He stressed the importance of unwavering determination and persistence in combat.
Halevi’s remarks followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement on Monday, in which he asserted that the war with Hamas was far from its conclusion. Netanyahu reiterated the imperative of obliterating Hamas before the hostilities can cease, emphasizing the need to “demilitarize” Gaza and “deradicalize” Palestinian society to establish the groundwork for a lasting peace.
According to local health officials, the ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 21,000 lives since October 7. The conflict was initiated by Hamas through surprise attacks on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of over 1,100 individuals, including almost 700 Israeli civilians and 71 foreigners. Additionally, numerous hostages were taken by the militant group.
The IDF, under the leadership of Halevi, has successfully dismantled most of the Hamas battalions in the northern part of Gaza. This has prompted the Israeli military to expand its operations in central and southern Gaza. Halevi highlighted the significant progress made in eliminating terrorists and commanders, with some surrendering to Israeli forces and hundreds of prisoners being taken. Furthermore, the IDF has successfully destroyed various underground infrastructures and weapons.
Acknowledging the dense and urban nature of the area, the IDF chief admitted that there may still be hidden Hamas fighters in northern Gaza. However, he emphasized that the Israeli military is committed to preventing a return to the security conditions prior to October 7, which would put citizens at risk of further Hamas attacks.
Given the complexity of the territory and the necessary yet challenging goals of the war, Halevi stated that the conflict will continue for several more months. The IDF will employ different methods to ensure that the achieved progress is maintained in the long term.
While multiple countries, including Russia and China, along with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, have called for an immediate ceasefire, Israel and its primary ally, the US, argue that a ceasefire at this point would only serve to benefit Hamas.
