Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel claimed that the Palestinian radical movement Hamas is approaching what he called the beginning of the end. The assertion was reported through one of the official Israeli government channels, which disseminates statements from the head of government.
Netanyahu also stated that dozens of Hamas fighters had finally surrendered to the Israel Defense Forces in recent days. He described these militants as having laid down their weapons and submitted to the Israeli army. He warned that while the war remains active and may take time, the trajectory is toward the end of Hamas’s operational capacity.
The prime minister urged Hamas fighters to surrender, presenting a path to reduce further violence through voluntary disengagement and demobilization.
Earlier, Netanyahu criticized international calls to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip, reiterating Israel’s position on continuing military actions until its security objectives are achieved.
In early October, Hamas launched a substantial rocket assault on Israel, initiating what was described as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. During the assault, thousands of militants breached Israeli territory, seized military assets, and reportedly captured more than two hundred individuals. In response, Israel launched Operation Iron Sword in the Gaza Strip, with the stated aim of dismantling Hamas. The ensuing Israeli actions led to a blockade of the Gaza Strip, intensive bombing campaigns, and widespread evacuations, with authorities urging more than a million residents to move southward for safety.
On November 22, Israel approved an agreement with Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza. The accord outlined a four-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release fifty women and children, and Red Cross representatives would be granted access to remaining hostages to provide medical care. As stated by Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, the halt in fighting was designed to create space for humanitarian assistance and negotiation. The ceasefire began on November 24 but was interrupted by Israel on December 1, with Israel citing Hamas’s failure to meet the terms of the hostage-release arrangement.
Earlier remarks from Russian President Vladimir Medvedev referenced the possibility of a prolonged, potentially century-long conflict in the Middle East.