Galant: The intensive ground operation has ended in the north of the Strip and will end in the south soon
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant stated that the intensive ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip has ended, and that it will soon end in the south as well.
This announcement came after the Israeli Duvdevan unit was transferred from the Gaza Strip to the occupied West Bank, and the withdrawal of the 36th Division of the Golani Brigade.
In a press conference marking the 100th day of the war, Gallant confirmed that the first phase of ground maneuvers had ended in northern Gaza, and indicated that the IDF would soon move to the end of ground operations in the south, without clarifying the next steps or their duration.
The Israeli Minister of Defense claimed that the Israeli army succeeded in dismantling all the regional capabilities of Hamas, and that they are working to dismantle the movement’s military industry in the center of the Gaza Strip.
He added that the Israeli army has other stages to complete in the fighting axes from Khan Yunis to Rafah, above and below ground.
Regarding the future governance of Gaza, Gallant explained that the Palestinians will be the ones to rule it in the future.
However, he pointed out the importance of the ruling regime in Gaza being from within the Gaza Strip, and based on forces that aren’t hostile to Israel, stressing that it must form a civilian alternative that cares about the well-being of Gaza and its Residents.
Regarding the issue of the detainees, Gallant stressed that they could only be released from a position of force, and warned that if the shooting stopped, the fate of the detainees would be to remain for years in Hamas captivity.
He stressed that military pressure would achieve the goals of the war, expecting the current year to be 2024; It’s the year of war.
