The official spokesperson for the Israeli army, Jonathan Conricus, stated that the ground operation in the Gaza Strip would be canceled if "Hamas" released all hostages and surrendered unconditionally. Conricus, in an interview with Australian ABC radio, said, "If Hamas comes out of the shelters where they are hiding among Israeli civilians, which is what they are doing now, and returns all of our 212 hostages and surrenders unconditionally, the war will end." He added, "If they do not do that, we may have to enter and finish the job."
Conricus did not respond to a question about why the ground attack has been delayed despite days of speculation, instead stating that Israeli forces "will work to completely dismantle Hamas" and fully destroy its military capabilities so that it no longer poses a threat to Israeli civilians. He also did not provide a clear answer to the broadcaster's question regarding whether the Israeli army's top priority is the complete destruction of Hamas or the liberation of all hostages held by it.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the ground operation in Gaza should be the final maneuver because there would be no Hamas afterward, according to his expression. The war on Gaza has been ongoing for more than two weeks following Hamas's operation "Storm of Al-Aqsa," with the number of casualties and injuries increasing and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsening, as it continues to be bombed by Israel. The toll from Israeli bombardment on Gaza reached 4,651 dead, including 1,873 children, 1,023 women, and 187 elderly, in addition to 14,245 injured with various wounds, not to mention the massive destruction in residential areas and infrastructure, as well as the condition of mass displacement.
