Israel is unlikely to defeat Hamas before the end of the year, the national security adviser said, underscoring the difficulties the country faces in achieving its stated goal of crushing the Islamist group in Gaza.
“We have another seven months of struggle to deepen this achievement and achieve what we define as the destruction of the government and military capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” Tzachi Hanegbi said in an interview with state broadcaster Kan on Wednesday. separate anti-Israel militant organization that also has fighters in Gaza.
The comments will do little to improve the mood of mediators such as the US and Qatar, who want Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire, but have seen the talks stalled for months. The White House said Wednesday that a “new” proposal — accompanied by an agreement from Israel — has been offered in hopes of spurring additional negotiations between the two sides.
