In a recent radio interview with Israel’s Army Radio station, Minister of Defense and former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue its operation against the Palestinian radical group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, even after the release of hostages.
“Even if there is a pause for the return of hostages, we will come back and strike the enemy with all our might,” he said.
Gantz added that the operation is currently expanding, strengthening, and deepening.
Prior to this, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, the IDF Chief of Staff, approved the plan for the next phase of the ground operation, which will commence after the end of the fighting in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Jonathan Conricus, the spokesperson for the IDF in reserve, stated that after the conclusion of the fighting in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the IDF will move on to the next phase of the ground operation, which involves the destruction of all Hamas infrastructure.
Earlier, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on Israel to abide by the “rules of war” during its operation in Gaza.
