Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prozor, reaffirmed the state’s resolve to strike at the Hamas movement in Gaza, emphasizing a focus on dismantling both its leadership and its operational infrastructure. The remarks were reported by the German news agency DPA, underscoring a long-standing policy against Hamas’s network and capabilities in the territory.
The ambassador stated that the objective is to neutralize Hamas’s command structure and to erode the group’s logistics and support networks. He cautioned that the conflict would be prolonged and required perseverance as Israel works to secure its borders and safeguard its citizens from renewed attacks.
According to Prozor, the scale of the threat posed by Hamas extends beyond its actions toward Israel. He argued that Hamas in various regards presents a danger to regional stability and to international security, describing the group as one of the gravest threats facing the country today. He suggested that the aggression initiated by Hamas compelled Israel to respond forcefully.
The events of early October involved thousands of rockets fired toward Israeli towns and the launch of what was labeled Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militants crossed into Israeli territory, seized military equipment, and took hostages in multiple locations. In response, Israel declared a state of war and prepared for a broad security campaign.
The military operation, named Iron Swords in some circles, aimed to disable Hamas within Gaza and degrade its ability to threaten Israeli security. The Israeli Air Force conducted extensive strikes against hundreds of targets tied to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, national security officials discussed restrictions on water, food, electricity, fuel, and other essential supplies to affected areas as part of a broader strategy to pressure Hamas and influence battlefield dynamics.
On October 13, a decision was communicated to the international community regarding the displacement of a substantial number of Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza, a move intended to facilitate a planned ground operation. Israeli officials indicated that the operation could involve significant military activity and was designed to restore security for Israeli residents while addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Earlier statements from Israel’s leadership suggested that the campaign in Gaza might require a period of months, with estimates ranging from two to three months for the initial phase of ground operations and stabilization efforts. The evolving situation highlighted the complexity of balancing military objectives with regional consequences and the urgent need for coordination among international partners and humanitarian bodies.