Israeli Military Chief Declares Hamas Defeated to Netanyahu and Katz

The Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz in a closed-door meeting that Hamas has been defeated and the battle against it has been decided. Kochavi's remarks were made during a security briefing for senior political officials earlier this month, on the sidelines of a visit to the Gaza Division.

These statements emerged during a discussion where the head of the Research Division of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Brigadier General Ofer Mizrahi, presented an assessment of Hamas's situation. Mizrahi noted, "We are observing a desire within Hamas to restore control and governance (at the Red Line). It must be noted that Hamas remains an organization that poses a threat."

In response, Kochavi stated, "This is true, but alongside that, Hamas has become a defeated organization and its fate has been decided."