Hamas Ceases to Operate as a Military Organization Across the Gaza Strip, Says Israeli Defense Minister

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserts that Hamas has "ceased to operate as a military organization across the entire Gaza Strip," according to the Times of Israel. Following an assessment conducted by the Israeli army's southern command, he announced that the achievements of the "98th Division and its units are extremely impressive. They are striking terrorists, destroying enemy facilities, warehouses, weapons, underground tunnels, headquarters, and communication rooms."

"All these operations have been carried out in a very impressive manner, and thus Hamas has ceased to operate as a military organization throughout the Gaza Strip," Gallant stated.

At the same time, the Israeli defense minister noted that the Israel Defense Forces are still prepared to fight against the "remaining battalions of Hamas in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip." Earlier, Israeli officials announced that 18 out of Hamas’s initial 24 battalions in Gaza had been disbanded, indicating they no longer function as organized military units, although smaller cells still exist.

In Rafah, southern Gaza, four Hamas battalions remain virtually intact, while another two are located in central Gaza, the Israeli media reports.