Israel vows to fight on in Gaza despite rising int'l pressure

Rafah: Israel's defence minister said Thursday it will take “more than several months” to destroy Hamas, predicting a drawn-out war even as his country and its top ally, the United States, face increasing international isolation and alarm over the devastation from Israel's campaign in Gaza.

Yoav Gallant's comments ahead of talks in Tel Aviv with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored a dynamic that has held between the two allies for weeks.

The Biden administration has shown unease over Israel's failure to reduce civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza, but it continues to offer wholehearted support for Israel's campaign with weapons and diplomatic backing.

Meanwhile, Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they plan to pursue their military assault until Hamas is crushed, though any hopes of a swift victory have vanished.

A deadly Hamas ambush on Israeli troops in Gaza City this week showed the group's resilience and called into question whether Israel can defeat it without wiping out the entire territory.

Gallant said Hamas has been building military infrastructure in Gaza for more than a decade, “and it is not easy to destroy them. It will require a period of time.”

“It will last more than several months, but we will win, and we will destroy them,” he said.

Israel has imposed a total siege on northern Gaza, including Gaza City, and has flattened much of it in what is already one of the 21st century's most devastating military campaign.

Sullivan's visit comes days after President Joe Biden said Israel was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight to the end, “even given the great pain and the international pressure,” saying late Wednesday that “nothing will stop us.” (AP)