Israel official says Gaza war could continue to year’s end
Israel National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said on May 29th that — despite the rising civilian death toll — the country’s war on Gaza could continue until the year’s end as the country pursues the “destruction of Hamas,” The New Arab and agencies reported.
“We may have another seven months of fighting to consolidate our success and achieve what we have defined as the destruction of Hamas’s power and military capabilities,” Hanegbi said. “Victory for us means destroying Hamas’s military capabilities, bringing back all the hostages and ensuring that at the end of the war there are no more threats from Gaza.”
His comments follow Israel’s recently-heightened military offensive in Rafah following the seizure of its border crossing. On May 26th, a displacement camp near the city was targeted, which resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians. International powers have urged Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza.
READ: Israel-Hamas talks expected to resume following Rafah strike
Some of the Israel’s long-standing alliances have come under strain as a result of its continued offensive in Rafah. On March 19th, US President Joe Biden urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt his Rafah offensive, though the latter insisted he was “determined” to continue. The European Union (EU) also warned on May 15th that Israel’s Rafah operation has put a “heavy strain” on its relationship with the country.
On May 24th, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanded that Israel “immediately halt” its Rafah offensive. Hamas has stood firm with its requirement that Israel must withdrawal its forces from Gaza completely to allow for its cooperation in allowing for a ceasefire. On May 7th, the group confirmed that it would not comply to a ceasefire deal should Israel move forward with its operation in Rafah.
The death toll of Palestinians has now breached 36,000.
The New Arab and agencies
