According to officials cited by Bloomberg, Israel’s campaign in the Gaza Strip could potentially last anywhere from six weeks to six months. The United States and other allies are reportedly pressuring Israel to clarify its objectives and outline its vision for the future.
Unlike previous conflicts with the Gaza Strip, the officials state that this campaign has a different goal. Instead of leaving the Hamas movement “weakened but still standing,” the Israeli government now aims to completely destroy it as an organization and ensure that Gaza is no longer a source of anti-Israeli violence.
Bloomberg’s sources also revealed that Israeli security services have formed a group with the objective of targeting all Hamas leaders involved in the attack on Israel on October 7th. Furthermore, the Israeli government plans to establish a buffer zone to prevent future attacks from Gaza, according to the sources.
On the evening of October 27th, Israel’s Defense Army spokesperson, Daniel Agari, announced that Israel is expanding its ground maneuvers in the Gaza Strip. The military has intensified airstrikes and will continue to conduct ground operations. In response, the Hamas movement claimed that Gaza was being attacked by Israel “from land, sea, and air.”
On October 7th, Hamas forces launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, initiating the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. Thousands of militants infiltrated Israeli territory, seizing dozens of military vehicles and over two hundred hostages. Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was in a state of war.
Israel’s counter-operation by the Defense Army has been named “Iron Swords,” with the goal of destroying Hamas. The Israeli Air Force has targeted hundreds of Hamas facilities in Gaza, and the Israeli National Security Council has decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, Russian officials speculated on the possible duration of Israel’s war with Hamas.
