This Post Is Recently Updated on Dec 11, 2023 @ 23:00 pm by TBB Desk
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern call to Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, signaling what he describes as the beginning of the end for the Palestinian Islamist group. This statement comes as the conflict in Gaza continues unabated, over two months since its onset.
In a decisive declaration, Netanyahu urged Hamas fighters to lay down their arms, explicitly stating, “It’s over. Don’t die for [Yahya] Sinwar. Surrender now.” This direct address to Hamas members comes amid Netanyahu’s assertion that dozens of militants have already surrendered to Israeli forces, a claim that has not been independently verified as the military has yet to release proof.
Meanwhile, Hamas, known for its long-standing conflict with Israel, has firmly rejected these claims of militant surrenders. Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza, remains a central figure in this ongoing strife.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, about a month ago, expressed his view that Hamas had “lost control” of Gaza. Contrasting this, senior Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq proclaimed the recent developments as a victory for Palestinian militants, asserting that the “end of the occupation has begun in Gaza.”
The current conflict was triggered by a deadly attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, which, according to Israeli figures, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of around 240 hostages. Israel’s response to these hostilities has been a relentless military offensive, leading to significant destruction in Gaza and the death of at least 17,997 people, predominantly women and children, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
This escalation marks yet another chapter in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides enduring substantial losses and the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating rapidly. The international community continues to watch closely, with hopes for a resolution that can bring lasting peace to the region.
