Amidror justified the intense military campaign, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, by accusing Hamas of embedding itself among civilians.
“This what they call a school, was a headquarters of Hamas,” he claimed. Israel has come under renewed international criticism after bombing a school in Gaza, killing 36 people, including children.The presence of Israeli hostages continues to shape operational tactics. Amidror said about 20 to 30 hostages remain in Hamas custody and that military operations have avoided certain areas to ensure their safety.
Outlining Operation Gideon Chariots, Amidror said the campaign would proceed in two stages—first gaining near-total military control of Gaza and then clearing Hamas infrastructure, including destroying an estimated 100 kilometers of underground tunnels. He added that a few thousand Hamas fighters are still active inside Gaza and will be targeted in the second phase.
The ultimate goal, he said, is the total elimination of Hamas’ military capability. “Now Israel is doing what is needed to destroy and eliminate this terror organisation,” Amidror stated.
He reiterated that the war was triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, many of them civilians. “We are speaking about terrorists who came to butcher families in their houses, attacking civilians celebrating at a festival,” he said.
Amidror dismissed growing diplomatic criticism, particularly from France, the UK, and Canada.
“With all due respect to the European Union, European countries, and all those leaders who condemn Israel, the responsibility for the security of Israel is not in the hands of the European countries. It is in the hands of the Israeli government,” he asserted.
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