'We're in a long war': Israel names number of killed Hamas militants
Photo: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Getty Images)
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that at least half of Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have been killed or wounded, reports The Times of Israel.
"We’re in a long war, but at the end we will break Hamas. Terrorists remain, and we are fighting against pockets of resistance… it will take months, not one day," he said.
The minister noted that the Hamas militants have neither supplies, nor ammunition, nor reinforcements.
"It’s hard for them to take care of themselves, of their wounded, and other things. We have killed already a quarter of the Hamas terrorists at least, and the same number are wounded," he said.
Israel's war with Hamas
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a military attack on the territory of Israel from the Gaza Strip. In the first few days, radical Islamists killed 1,200 civilians and soldiers and kidnapped about 250 people.
In late October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the goal of the operation as the destruction of Hamas' operational and governmental capabilities, as well as the release of hostages.
On January 22, the Israel Defense Forces launched a new major offensive on the western part of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation is accompanied by large-scale combat operations.
On January 24, Israel and Hamas reached a tentative agreement for a month-long ceasefire and a new deal for the release of hostages.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Israel to stop causing additional damage to the civilian population in the war zone
