Hamas leaders, including its top official in Gaza, are “on the run” as the Israeli army advances further south into the Palestinian enclave, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday.
The Israeli military operation in the southern town of Khan Younis “will soon achieve its objectives” as troops advance south toward Rafah, the last remaining Hamas stronghold, Gallant said in a televised briefing. “Our forces operate on the ground in most of the territory of the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Israel has publicly accused Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar of being the “mastermind” behind the group's October 7 attack (although experts say it was likely one of several), making him one of the key targets of its war on Loop.
Gallant claimed on Monday that Sinwar had no contact with his fighters and was forced to flee from one hideout to another with the Israeli army in close pursuit. “He is not leading the forces; he is busy with his own personal survival. He became, instead of head of Hamas, a fugitive terrorist,” Gallant said.
Gallant also claimed that Israeli forces had killed or seriously wounded about half of the Hamas fighters in Gaza.
Hamas Denial: Husam Badran, Hamas spokesman in Qatar, denied Gallant's claims, saying they were an attempt to boost Israeli morale. Hamas fighters were “still operating in all areas” of Gaza, according to a statement from Badran published by Hamas media outlet Al Aqsa on Monday night.
