Israel anticipates that the conflict with Hamas in Gaza will continue for another seven months.

Israel is determined to continue its war in Gaza until the end of the year in order to achieve its goal of “destroying” Hamas’s rule in the besieged Palestinian territory, a top security official has revealed.

Tzachi Hanegbi, the country’s national security adviser and a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated in a radio interview that Israel’s original war plan against Hamas outlined the year 2024 as a year of combat. With the current month being the fifth of 2024, Hanegbi emphasized that another seven months of fighting are expected.

Despite increasing international isolation and pressure to end the conflict, Israeli forces are intensifying their offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The Financial Times previously reported that Israeli officials were prepared for the war against Hamas to last most of this year, with the aim of “destroying” the militant group as the dominant power in Gaza.

Hanegbi reiterated in the interview that the war aims remain unchanged, with the upcoming months focused on deepening achievements and reaching the ultimate goal. He emphasized the importance of patience and resilience, highlighting the nation’s historical ability to endure challenges.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and destruction, with thousands of lives lost and widespread displacement in Gaza. Despite the scale and duration of Israel’s offensive, most of Hamas’s top leaders in Gaza remain at large.

As international condemnation grows over the high death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli officials remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving “total victory” over Hamas. Netanyahu has made it clear that the war will not end until all objectives are completed, despite mounting pressures both domestically and abroad.