Gaza war could go on for rest of 2024, says Israel PM’s aide
A senior Israeli official has said that the conflict with Hamas in Gaza is expected to last for at least the remainder of the year. Tzachi Hanegbi, the prime minister’s national security adviser, told Israel’s Kan public radio that the fighting in Gaza will continue for at least another seven months.
Hanegbi also mentioned that Israel’s military has taken control of 75% of the buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border and is continuing its assault on the southern city of Rafah. Residents of Rafah reported increased Israeli air strikes and tank raids in central and western areas.
A senior World Health Organization (WHO) official warned that Rafah’s last hospital is barely functional and that a full incursion by Israeli troops could lead to its closure and a significant number of deaths.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that troops are operating in a very targeted manner against Hamas’s remaining battalions in Rafah. Over one million Palestinians have fled the area in the past three weeks.
The US government does not believe a major ground operation is currently underway, which could influence its policy on military aid to Israel.
Israel maintains that taking Rafah is crucial for victory in the conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and 252 hostages.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 36,170 people have been killed across Gaza since the conflict began.