Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has demanded that the Israeli military present a plan for the “decisive defeat” of the Palestinian movement Hamas if hostages are not released from the Gaza Strip before Donald Trump takes office as US president.
In the announcement of Katz’s cabinet, it is written that during the high-level meeting, it was emphasized that the release of the hostages remains a top priority for the Israeli security establishment, Israeli media reported today.
The meeting was attended, among others, by the Chief of the General Staff of Israel, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged into a long war of attrition while the hostages are in the Hamas tunnels, their lives are in danger and they are enduring great suffering,” Kac said.
He instructed the military to list potential obstacles to the implementation of the plan, including humanitarian concerns, and to leave key decisions to the political echelon.
Katz dismissed discussions of a political solution for Gaza, saying that no Arab or international actor would assume responsibility for civilian governance of Gaza unless there is a complete collapse of Hamas.
“Our commanders and soldiers are fighting a heroic battle, but we must adopt a strategy to achieve a decisive military victory and end the war in Gaza,” Israel’s defense minister said.
The proposed total defeat of Hamas would focus on the destruction of the Islamist organization’s remaining military units concentrated in Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where most of the hostages are believed to be held.
The Israeli army refrained from major operations in these areas so as not to injure the hostages. Such a decision was made with the approval of the Israeli political leadership.
Katz is against a long war, the toll of which would be heavy, and a strategic victory would not be achieved.
“We must not agree to a war of attrition that would cost us a lot and would not result in victory and the decisive defeat of Hamas,” Kac said.
In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas appear to have moved closer to an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Palestinians and families of hostages are appealing to world leaders and the Hamas government to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The number of dead Palestinians in Gaza in more than 15 months of war exceeded 46,000, mostly women and children, and around 109,000 were wounded.
Israel says more than 17,000 extremists have been killed, but provides no evidence, the Associated Press reports.
The war began after the attack of Palestinian extremists led by Hamas on the south of Israel on October 7, 2023.
In that attack, around 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza.
About 100 are still being held in the Palestinian enclave, but the Israeli military has said a third are no longer alive.
(Beta)
Source: www.vijesti.me
