Israel says most Hamas battalions in Gaza ‘eliminated’ — RT World News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli army destroyed 19 of the 24 regional battalions affiliated with Hamas in Gaza during the past six months.

in statement Ahead of a cabinet meeting on Sunday, six months after the start of the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel is doing so. “One step away from victory”

“Today we celebrate six months since the start of the war… We have eliminated 19 out of 24 Hamas battalions, including its senior commanders. We killed, wounded, and captured a large number of Hamas terrorists… and destroyed their factories that manufacture missiles, weapons, and ammunition.” The Prime Minister said.

The conflict began on October 7 last year with a surprise raid by Hamas that killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis and saw more than 200 hostages captured. Netanyahu immediately declared war on the armed group and pledged to eliminate it. As a result, and due to Gaza's dense population, more than 33,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids on the Strip in the following months, with much of the area razed to the ground.

In his statement, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel needs to continue fighting until all Hamas activists are eliminated. He pointed out that Hamas is still holding 133 Israeli citizens hostage, and stressed that there will be no talk of a ceasefire until all of them are released.

“There is no war more just than this one, and we are determined to end it in complete victory. “Return all the abductees, complete the elimination of Hamas in the entire Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.” He said.

Two delegations from Israel and Hamas held ceasefire negotiations, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, on Sunday in Cairo. According to a report broadcast by Al Arabiya, Hamas’s demands included Israel dropping its plans to persecute and eliminate its leaders once the fighting in Gaza stopped, as well as a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu called for these demands “Maximum” He said that Israel would not do that “Surrender to them” They may also, according to him “It puts our citizens and soldiers at risk.” In the future.

Netanyahu's refusal to reach an agreement with Hamas, and thus secure the release of the hostages, caused discontent among Israelis. Tens of thousands of demonstrators organized a protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, demanding Netanyahu's resignation and reaching an agreement with Palestinian militants.