In a response to the persistent terror attacks, Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are transitioning into a “full offense” mode against Hamas targets, according to a report by The Times of Israel.
Addressing the troops stationed along the Gaza border, Minister Gallant announced, “I have removed all restraints. We have regained control of the area, and we are shifting to a full offensive stance.”
He emphasized that Gaza would “never return to its former state.” He encouraged the troops, saying, “You will have the power to reshape the reality here. You have witnessed the sacrifices made, and you will witness the transformation. Hamas sought a change in Gaza; it will now undergo a 180-degree change from its expectations.”
According to The Times of Israel’s report, Minister Gallant was quoted as saying, “They will regret this moment. Gaza will never revert to its previous state.” He vowed that Israel, with its full might and without compromise, would eliminate “anyone who seeks to decapitate, harm women, or target Holocaust survivors.”
Hinting at a prolonged counter-offensive that could span several months, he added, “We will return to Be’eri in a few months, and the situation will be different. We will fully restore the kibbutz, down to the last inch.”
Following Minister Gallant’s address, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the top spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), underscored that eliminating senior Hamas members was a top priority. He stated, “The directive to our forces is clear: locate terrorists and neutralize them.”
Hagari informed that troops were still actively searching for Hamas militants in southern Israel following the multi-pronged terror attacks on Saturday. He stated, “We are maintaining a strong defense on the border. There were infiltration attempts today, but the terrorists were eliminated before reaching the fence.”
He also mentioned that the remains of 103 terrorists were discovered in Kibbutz Be’eri, noting that Hamas gunmen had killed over 100 Israelis in the kibbutz.
In the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, the Israeli Air Force launched strikes on more than 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhood, a known launching point for Hamas attacks.
The IDF reported, “Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighborhood—a known terrorist hub from which Hamas plans and carries out their attacks. This marks the third operation in the area in the past 24 hours, targeting 450 sites.”
The Israeli Air Force continued to take action by targeting over 70 sites in Darje Tupah in Gaza on Tuesday night, a region known as a terrorist stronghold for Hamas activities against Israel.
The IDF emphasized its commitment to combat the terror infrastructure enabling Hamas to plan and execute attacks on Israel.
Additionally, the IDF confirmed the arrival of the first plane carrying U.S. armaments at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel on Wednesday, highlighting the significance of military cooperation between the two nations for regional security and stability in times of conflict.
The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli security forces also targeted the residence of Mohammed Deif’s father, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the recent terror attacks. Mohammed Deif is the head of Hamas’s military wing.
As the conflict against Hamas entered its fifth day, the toll of rocket attacks and ambushes by the terrorist organization in Israel reached over 1,200 casualties, with more than 2,700 injuries and 50 individuals confirmed as hostages or missing, according to the IDF.
The IDF noted that over 4,500 rockets have been launched from Gaza to date.
On the Palestinian side, more than 770 individuals have been killed in Israeli air raids, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. An additional 4,000 people have been wounded in the ongoing counter-offensive. Among the casualties are 140 children and 120 women, according to the ministry’s spokesperson.
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