The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is moving to a “full offense” against the Gaza Strip as conflicts with the Palestinian militants Hamas continued for a fifth consecutive day, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, adding that Gaza “will never go back to what it was.”
As cited by The Time of Israel, Gallant said, “I have released all the restraints, we have [regained] control of the area, and we are moving to a full offense. You will have the ability to change the reality here. You have seen the prices [being paid], and you will get to see the change. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza; it will change 180 degrees from what it thought.”
“They will regret this moment, Gaza will never go back to what it was. Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors, we will eliminate him with all our might, and without compromise,” he added.
The flare-up of tensions in Israel began on Saturday when Hamas launched a surprising and unprecedented attack. Backed by a barrage of rockets, Hamas militants breached the blockade from the Gaza Strip into adjoining Israeli towns.
This sudden attack resulted in considerable deaths and abductions – thousands dead and scores more injured.
Israel launched airstrikes on targets in Gaza, in response, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war with Hamas, pledging to exact an unparalleled cost on the militant group.
