Israel Eliminates 17 of 24 Hamas Battalions in Gaza Strip, PM Netanyahu Vows to Eradicate the Rest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared significant progress in the campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, stating that 17 out of 24 Hamas battalions have been eliminated as of October 7, 2023. Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the goal of completely eradicating Hamas from the region.

"Our major goal is to exterminate Hamas. To achieve it, we need to reduce the number of Hamas battalions. As of today, we have eliminated 17 out of 24 battalions," Netanyahu asserted. He also noted that most of the remaining battalions are concentrated in the southern Gaza Strip and Rafah, affirming Israel's determination to target them as well.

Netanyahu outlined the next steps in the operation, which include a mop-up operation and neutralizing the Hamas tunnel system. These efforts are currently underway in the central and northern Gaza regions, but they are expected to take time.

"The war will not end until our goals are achieved: the extermination of Hamas, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza poses no further threat to Israel," Netanyahu emphasized.