TheCable

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has ended its “intensive phase” of ground offensives in northern Gaza.

Speaking on Monday, Yoav Gallant, Israeli defense minister, added that the war will soon be over in the Khan Younis area of the Strip’s south as well.

Gallant said the move was necessary to enable the country’s military restrategise, especially as they have completed their mission in the northern part of the enclave.

He said the war would now be focused on locating Hamas’ infrastructure, and killing or capturing its remaining operatives, as well as a potential escalation in the fighting against the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group.

“All the [Hamas] battalion frameworks have been dismantled. We are now working to eliminate pockets of resistance. We will achieve this via raids, airstrikes, special operations, and additional activities,” the defence minister said.

“Three months ago, together with the IDF chief of staff, director of the Shin Bet, and IDF generals, I presented to the cabinet the war plan in the Gaza Strip and its ties to other arenas.

“We made it clear that the intensive maneuvering stage would last for approximately three months.

“In the northern part of the Strip, this phase has ended. In southern Gaza, we will reach this achievement and [the intensive phase] will end soon.

“And in both places, the moment will come when we will move to the next phase.”

Gallant’s comments come amid pressure from the international community on Israel to reduce civilian casualties.

The United States, Israel’s biggest ally, had asked the Jewish nation to focus more on targeted strikes against Hamas than its usual heavy bombings.