Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have killed or injured 60% of Hamas terrorists and that most of the Islamic organization’s battalions have been crushed.
Gallant made the comment to parliament on Wednesday, according to Israeli media.
Israel announced the complete destruction of Hamas as a war objective following the massacres perpetrated by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7.
As long as Hamas maintains control in the Gaza Strip, it can rebuild and strengthen itself, Israeli officials said, meaning the IDF would then have to return and fight in areas where it had already been deployed.
Gallant called for the creation of a political alternative to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of Gaza after the end of the war.
Observers say this is likely because he is trying to avoid conflict with his far-right coalition partners, who are in favor of building Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, an extremely controversial proposal.
