By The Smartencyclopedia Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on February 4 that Israeli forces have successfully dismantled 17 out of Hamas’s 24 combat battalions in the Gaza Strip. While the remaining seven battalions are primarily located in southern Gaza, Netanyahu affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing them as well. The Prime Minister’s announcement came as Israeli tanks and troops continued operations in key Hamas strongholds, including Khan Younis and Rafah along the Egyptian border.
In a statement, Netanyahu emphasized the ongoing efforts to neutralize Hamas’s military capabilities, stating, “We will take care of them, too.” Khan Younis has been a predominant Hamas stronghold, witnessing sustained Israeli operations for several weeks. Rafah, located along the Egyptian border, has not seen major ground operations thus far.
Reports from Palestinians in northern and central areas of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, indicate renewed incursions by Israeli forces. Netanyahu characterized these actions as “mopping-up operations,” deemed necessary after the successful dismantling of the 17 battalions. Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their operations to dismantle Hamas’s extensive tunnel network, particularly in Khan Younis.
Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the time-intensive nature of this operation, stating, “This demands more time yet.” The IDF’s counter-terrorism operation in Gaza has been described as unprecedented in scale and complexity.
Expert Analysis
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), highlighted the impressive pace of Israel’s counter-terrorism operation and suggested that Hamas may be relying on its remaining proximity to Egypt and hostages as leverage, which Cairo should use to influence the situation.
Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow, emphasized the significance of Hamas’s defeat in Gaza, noting the loss of control over substantial areas. He stressed the importance of supporting the IDF in preventing further threats from Hamas and other terrorist groups to Israel and the broader region.
Potential Truce
During the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting on February 4, Prime Minister Netanyahu briefed ministers on the progress of the counter-terrorism operation, sparking speculation about a potential truce mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Netanyahu emphasized that efforts to retrieve remaining Gaza hostages are ongoing but stated that Israel would not agree to any deal at any price. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have proposed a truce where Israel must permanently end the Gaza war and release all Palestinian terrorists held by Israel in exchange for the release of all hostages.