Netanyahu Claims Major Goal in Gaza Operation is Near Completion
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 18 - Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated at a cabinet meeting on the 17th that Israel is close to achieving one of its key objectives in the military operation in the Gaza Strip, which is to eliminate all senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) who planned the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“We are very close to completing this task,” Netanyahu said.
Two days before Netanyahu's remarks, the Israeli military announced the killing of Izaddin al-Qassam Brigades commander, Izz ad-Din al-Hadad. According to the Israeli military, al-Hadad was the last surviving Hamas elder in the Gaza Strip. According to CNN, after the targeted killings of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and former military chief Mohammed Deif, al-Hadad became one of the highest-ranking "spokespersons" for Hamas and the highest-ranking member of Hamas attacked by the Israeli military since the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas last October.
According to Israeli statistics, about 1,200 Israelis died in the October 7, 2023 attack. According to the Gaza health department, the Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 72,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are civilians. Although Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement last October, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement, and violent attacks in the Gaza Strip continue. (Wang Hongbin)
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on May 17, 2023, that Israel is nearing the completion of a key military objective in the Gaza Strip, which involves eliminating Hamas leaders responsible for the October 7 attack. The Israeli Defense Forces have reported significant casualties, with over 72,000 Palestinians killed, primarily civilians, and approximately 1200 Israelis dead since the attack. The situation remains tense with ongoing violence despite a ceasefire agreement.
- Netanyahu stated that Israel is close to achieving a key military objective in Gaza.
- The IDF has killed Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade, who was one of the last surviving Hamas leaders.
- Over 72,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza due to military actions, mostly civilians.
- Approximately 1200 Israelis have died since the October 7 attack.
- There have been ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.