Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said 60 percent of Hamas fighters had been “eliminated or wounded” in the Gaza war since the militant group’s October 7 attacks. Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s determination to meet its war goals of eradicating Hamas and bringing all hostages back from Gaza. Israel has launched major offensives in Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Yunis while also engaging with international mediators for negotiating a truce with Hamas. There are no figures provided for casualties, but an attack on southern Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians.
The militants seized 251 hostages, with 116 remaining in Gaza. Israel’s military retaliation has resulted in at least 38,295 deaths, mostly civilians. While some countries expressed solidarity with Israel, the government also faced criticism for its devastating military campaign in Gaza. Gallant emphasized Israel’s commitment to returning all hostages and achieving the goals of the war.
