Israel predicts Gaza conflict will continue for at least another 7 months

Israel’s Defense Minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, has reaffirmed Israel’s stance on the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory, stating that the near eight-month war is “justified” and “necessary” to protect national security. This comes after a series of attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others.

Hanegbi emphasized that the conflict is not just with Hamas but also with Iran, which supports various Islamist groups in the Middle East. He described Iran as a superpower that has sent proxies to surround Israel in an attempt to exhaust and weaken the country. Hanegbi stated that Iran’s goal is not to conquer Tel Aviv but to break Israel and disrupt its way of life.

Despite efforts from mediators such as the US and Qatar to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, talks have been deadlocked for months with both sides holding firm to their demands. The situation has only escalated, with more than 35,000 Palestinians reported dead since the start of the war, according to health authorities in Gaza.

Israel claims to have eliminated around 15,000 Hamas fighters during the campaign, but an estimated 8,000 fighters remain in the city of Rafah. Israeli tanks recently entered the town as part of a planned incursion. Despite these efforts, Hamas’s top leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, remain at large, and fighters have regrouped in areas previously cleared by the Israel Defense Forces.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not set a timeline for what he calls “total victory,” but analysts believe that Hamas has proven to be more resilient than expected. Hamas, labeled a terrorist group by the US and EU, operates in an extensive tunnel network that Israeli forces have struggled to dismantle. The group continues to launch rockets into Israel, albeit less frequently than before.

The conflict has drawn widespread criticism, with the International Court of Justice issuing a ruling perceived as a call to halt military activities in Rafah. Additionally, the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders.

As the war in the Palestinian territory rages on, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the violence that has claimed thousands of lives and caused immense destruction. The future remains uncertain as both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no clear end in sight to the devastating conflict.