The Chief of Israel's intelligence agency, Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, has declared Israel's determination to eradicate the Hamas militant group globally, even if it takes several years. Bar emphasized that the cabinet has set a goal to eliminate Hamas, and they are resolute in achieving it, drawing a parallel with the resolve shown during the Munich Olympics incident in 1972.
Bar's reference to Munich reflects the events on September 5, 1972, when members of the Palestinian terrorist movement Black September attacked the Israeli Olympic team, resulting in the deaths of two Israelis and the kidnapping of nine others. The Shin Bet chief affirmed their commitment to eliminating Hamas everywhere, including Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar.
He acknowledged the security responsibility placed on them and expressed determination to fulfill that duty. Bar acknowledged challenges faced on October 7 but asserted that they are learning from those events and are on the rise, emphasizing that they are not waiting to act.
These statements come amid the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) announcement of expanding ground operations to cover the entire Gaza Strip. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari highlighted the importance of air support in targeting terror infrastructure and limiting threats against ground operations. The IDF's policy remains clear – to forcefully strike any threat against Israeli territory.
The recent escalation follows the collapse of a seven-day humanitarian truce on December 1, with hostilities resuming and Israel targeting Hamas tunnel shafts, command centers, and weapons storage facilities. The situation has resulted in a significant toll on both sides, with casualties reported in Gaza and Israel.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 15,523 as of Monday morning, with a majority being women and children, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. The conflict has also claimed the lives of 77 Israeli soldiers in Gaza since the start of ground operations on October 7, and over 1,200 casualties in Israel, including foreign nationals.
(With Agency Inputs)
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