Netanyahu expresses on end of war with Hamas
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggests that the military operation against militants of the Hamas group, particularly in the Gaza Strip, could conclude in approximately a month or two, reports Politico.
According to the head of the Israeli government, three-quarters of Hamas' fighting terrorism battalions have been destroyed during the fighting.
"We're close to finishing the last part in warfare,” the Israeli leader said. Fighting would not “take more than two months.”
"Maybe six weeks, maybe four," the Israeli prime minister noted.
About the casualties during the war
Netanyahu also commented on the casualties, stating that around 13,000 Palestinian militants had been killed. The article notes that the level of civilian casualties is estimated at 1-1.5 for each combatant, thus the total number of fatalities could exceed 26,000.
About the ceasefire
In a conversation with journalists, the Israeli prime minister rejected the idea of a ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He stated that while he would like to see another hostage release, he didn’t see any breakthrough in the negotiations, and without a release, there's not going to be a pause in the fighting.
About the invasion into Rafah
Netanyahu also stated that the IDF intends to continue its advance on the city of Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. Although US President Joe Biden previously warned in an interview that such an advance could be a red line.
The head of the Israeli government, without naming names or going into details, claimed to have had tacit support from several Arab leaders for advancing against the Hamas group.
"They understand that, and even agree with it quietly," Netanyahu said in an interview with Axel Springer, POLITICO’s parent company.
"They understand Hamas is part of the Iranian terror axis," he added.
Israel-Hamas war
Hamas militants launched a massive attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Following this, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip at the end of October, which continues to this day. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the goal of the operation was to destroy Hamas and free the hostages.
It should be noted that in November of last year, as a result of negotiations on a hostage exchange, Hamas militants released about 120 people, and Israel released a group of Palestinian prisoners. However, the parties later resumed active hostilities in the region.
Later, the Israel Defense Forces launched a new major offensive in the western part of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation is accompanied by significant military actions.
On February 8, Netanyahu stated that a complete victory for the Israeli army is imminent. He also announced the readiness of the IDF to begin a ground invasion of the city of Rafah near the border with Egypt in southern Gaza.
Earlier, it was reported that according to CIA Director William Burns, Israel and Hamas militants are close to a ceasefire. Additionally, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron asked Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz to allow the delivery of additional aid to Gaza.
On March 8, President Joe Biden announced plans for the construction of a temporary port by the US military to ship humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza.
Additionally, yesterday, President Biden, in an interview with MSNBC, stated that he is ready to visit Israel and address the Knesset, reaffirming his call for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to free hostages and deliver aid. He also noted that a potential Israeli army invasion of the city of Rafah is a red line for him.
