Israel’s prime minister has vowed the conflict with Hamas “isn’t close to finished” as he spoke to IDF troops and commanders in Northern Gaza.
During a visit to the region, Benjamin Netanyahu promised Israel would continue fighting until the terror group “is finished”.
Netanyahu was also briefed by IDF commanders on the progress of the war.
According to the press statement, the prime minister was told about the munitions that IDF forces have been finding in almost every building in the territory, as well as the extensive network of tunnels built by Hamas under Gaza “in the heart of civilian areas.”
Speaking to Israel’s forces, Netanyahu said their safety on the frontlines is a priority.
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“I have two things to tell you: firstly we will do everything to protect your safety, your lives,” he said.
“We want [to complete] this mission but we want to protect you as much as possible.
“Secondly, we are not stopping. Anyone who talks about stopping — no. We’re not stopping.
“This war is going to go until the end. Until we finish them. No less than that.”
The prime minister urged soldiers to think of their families’ support to drive them on.
“I know that you have left your families and that the families are supportive, that is something mighty, that is power, that is the key to victory,” he said.
It comes after a week-long ceasefire offer in exchange for 40 hostages was rejected by Hamas.
During a previous ceasefire in November, Hamas agreed to release 110 people from Gaza, with Israel releasing 240 Palestinians from its jails as part of the deal.
Around 140 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in the war-torn enclave.
Israel’s military has been bombarding Gaza City for weeks as it seeks to crush Hamas and its infrastructure.
The invasion was launched in response to the October 7 attacks, which saw Hamas launch a surprise assault on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people.
So far 1.9 million people – 85 percent of Gaza’s population – have been displaced by the conflict, according to UN estimates, and civilians are being squeezed into increasingly smaller areas by Israel’s new military evacuation orders.
The months-long siege has left many Gazans without access to food, water and medical supplies, with desperately needed aid deliveries to the strip made near impossible by constant bombing.
Israel has acknowledged the devastating impact on innocent people in the region, but blames Hamas for intentionally hiding in densely-populated areas.
At least 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the bombardment and invasion of the enclave began, the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza claim, including 8,000 children and 6,200 women.
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