Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the Israeli army will resume fighting following the temporary ceasefire in Gaza, expecting hostilities to continue for at least another two months. He stated that the army is committed to completing the war until Israel achieves its objectives of "destroying" Hamas and securing the release of hostages.
Gallant told troops from the "elite naval unit": "What you will see in the coming days is the first release of hostages," noting that "this ceasefire will be short," according to the "Times of Israel." He added: "There will be a resumption (of fighting); because we need to complete the victory and create momentum to release the next groups of hostages who will only return under pressure."
He clarified that even after the period of intense fighting ends, there will be many operations that unit (Shayetet 13) will engage in to eliminate any military threat from the Gaza Strip, continuing: "We will enjoy the freedom to act as we wish at any moment."
Gallant is considered one of the main supporters of settlement in the West Bank and advocates for Israeli incursions into Gaza, facing accusations of violating international humanitarian law during Israel's war on Gaza in 2008/2009. He stated that he is open to any solution that allows Israel to sever ties with Gaza as long as it adheres to a simple premise of destroying Hamas in the enclave.
Gallant added: "At the end of the war, Hamas will be destroyed and there will be no military threat to Israel from Gaza, and Israel will not be in Gaza."
The American newspaper "Washington Post" reported that Gallant stated that Israeli military officials do not discuss their strategy, but when pressed, the Defense Minister offered this vague comment: "You need an industrial solution."
In the evening, Israeli broadcasting authority revealed that all families of the hostages had been informed of the release date.
