After sixteen years, Hamas has ‘lost control of Gaza’, says Israel’s defense minister
Gaza is almost completely under siege by Israel and there is a shortage of food, fuel and other basic services. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday called on the European Union and the United Nations to parachute aid into Gaza.
New Delhi: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas has lost control of the Gaza Strip, which it has ruled for 16 years. Gallant said during a video broadcast on Israel’s main TV stations: “Hamas has lost control of Gaza. Terrorists flee south. Citizens loot Hamas bases,” without providing evidence. “They no longer have confidence in the government,” he added.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory, while Israel responded with airstrikes, ground operations and punitive measures, including a siege of the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli authorities, the conflict in Israel has killed about 1,200 people, the majority of which were the result of the October 7 Hamas attack. According to the Gaza Media Agency, the conflict has so far claimed 11,240 lives in Gaza, including 4,630 children. Two-thirds of Gaza’s population has become homeless as a result of the Israeli military campaign.
Gaza is almost completely under siege by Israel and there is a shortage of food, fuel and other basic services. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday called on the European Union and the United Nations to parachute “aid” into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US media there might be an agreement on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, but declined to provide details for fear of scuttling the potential plan.
Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, said it has informed mediators of its willingness to release 50 hostages of women and children held in Gaza in exchange for a five-day ceasefire .
Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a message on the Telegram channel on Monday that “Qatari mediators have made efforts to release Israeli prisoners in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian children and 75 women,” reported Xinhua news agency.
He stressed that the ceasefire should ensure a cessation of hostilities and access for aid to people in the enclave.
He stressed that continued Israeli ground, naval and air aggression threatens the lives of prisoners held by them and other armed Palestinian factions in Gaza.