During a visit to Rafah, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that operations in the southern Gaza Strip will persist until Hamas' capabilities are dismantled. "We will persevere and escalate until we achieve a scenario where we are suffocating their supply lines and preventing them from regaining their strength," Gallant stated.
In his military assessment, which included briefings on the IDF's activities above and below ground, Gallant underscored, "Our actions in Rafah are crucial; we are effectively cutting off Hamas' air supply, including the Rafah crossing and tunnels. The outcome is clear: they are unable to arm themselves, resupply, reinforce, or treat their casualties."
He continued, "Their morale is weakening, and time is not on their side. Despite narratives from individuals in tunnels or hotels in Qatar and the media noise they generate, Hamas is being worn down by our operations. We are demolishing their tunnels and weapon caches, accessing locations they never anticipated, deep underground and on the surface. This is of utmost importance."
Gallant affirmed, "We will persist and escalate until we reach a point where we are strangling their supply lines and preventing them from rebuilding their strength. This is the objective of our operation, and the 162nd Division, together with all of you, is executing it effectively."
