The Minister of Defense , announced this Monday the end of the “intensive phase” of the war in the north of theand announced that it will soon also end in the area of where the fighting is now concentrated in the south of the enclave.

Gallant explained that the troops are carrying out lower intensity operations in the north of the Strip, “after defeating all Hamas battalions in the area”the same day that the Israeli Army reported the withdrawal of one of the divisions operating in the enclave, where three still remain.

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“In the south of the Gaza Stripthe intensive phase will end soon,” advanced Gallant in a press conference in reference to the battle of Jan YunisHamas’ stronghold in the south, without giving an exact timetable.

The minister indicated that Israeli troops in Jan Yunis They are focused on finding “the head of the snake,” alluding to the leadership of Hamas, which they believe is hiding in the underground tunnels of that city.

Israel Its priority is to hunt down the leader of Hamas within the enclave, Yahya Sinwarand to the head of his military wing, Mohamed Deifboth considered the masterminds of the brutal attack on Israeli soil on October 7, which left more than 1,200 dead and about 250 kidnapped.

“We also cut off the roads leading to Rafah above and below the earthhe indicated Gallantabout the interruption of communications between Jan Yunis and Rafahat the southern end of the enclave, to prevent the ringleaders of Hamas they can flee.

For its part, in the north of the Stripewhere the Israeli Army has almost complete military control, troops are already engaged in low-intensity operations “to locate the remaining sites of Hamas and kill or capture the last agents of the terrorist group,” the minister clarified.

The minister’s statements coincide with the announcement of the Israeli army on the withdrawal of the 36th Division from the ground, for a period of recovery and training, as part of the Israeli strategy of a long-term campaign against Hamas, which also includes reinforcing troops in the West Bankwhere violence is increasing.

On Loop postwar, Gallant indicated that it should be governed by the Palestinians, calming fears that Israel could occupy and colonize the territory, something requested by the extreme right.

A few minutes after Hamas published a new propaganda video in which it reports the alleged death under bombs of two other hostages, Gallant insisted that only “military pressure” will allow the captives to be freed.

“If the fire stops, the fate of the hostages will be sealed for many years in captivity of Hamas. Without military pressure, no one will talk to us. Only from a position of strength can free the hostageshe claimed.

The minister’s comments about the hostages come at a time of great frustration on the part of familieswho believe that the Government must negotiate and that military pressure has not allowed the release of any captive in almost two months.



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