“The war will end when its goals are achieved”: Israeli Defense Minister, Hamas strongholds in Gaza near disbandment

“The war will end when its goals are achieved,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the “war” will end when all of Israel's wartime objectives are accomplished. He emphasized that the Jabaliya and Shejaiya battalions of Hamas in the northern part of Gaza are on the verge of being disbanded.

"The war will end when its goals are achieved. I take into consideration everything the US asks and says, and take seriously, along with all the members of the cabinet, what America is doing… We will find a way to help the Americans help us,” said Gallant while addressing a press conference.

Gallant, when questioned about a potential new hostage deal with Hamas, expressed the belief that increased military pressure from Israel could lead to more offers for such deals. He emphasized that if offers materialize, they will be considered. The Defense minister further stated that Israeli forces have surrounded the last strongholds of Hamas in Jabaliya and Shejaiya, with hundreds of Hamas operatives surrendering to Israeli troops in recent days, illustrating the impact on the terror group. "We have encircled the last strongholds of Hamas in Jabaliya and Shejaiya, the battalions that were considered invincible, that prepared for years to fight us, are on the verge of being dismantled,” he added.

Gallant stated that those who surrender will have their lives spared, including individuals arrested for their involvement in the October 7 terror attack on Israeli communities. He mentioned that valuable information is being provided by those in custody. Additionally, Gallant issued a warning to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, asserting that the fate of any senior Hamas commander, as well as lower-ranking terrorists, is the same: surrender or face death, with no alternative option.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet have reported the arrest of over 500 terror operatives in the Gaza Strip in the past month. The IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate's Unit 504 and the security agency conducted the arrests for questioning. Since the ceasefire ended on December 1, more than 140 of these operatives were apprehended. On Monday, the IDF confirmed the deaths of seven more soldiers, bringing the total troop casualties in Israel's ground offensive against Hamas to 104, with six soldiers killed in southern Gaza on Sunday.​