IDF spokesman: ‘No doubt’ Hamas would be pressured by an alternative ruling body, but it’s up to politicians

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited troops in eastern Rafah earlier today, Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says in a press conference from the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Hagari says that over Israel’s Independence Day, which began last night and ending this evening, troops killed more than 100 terror operatives across Gaza, amid operations in Rafah, Zeitoun, and Jabaliya.

Since the beginning of the Rafah offensive last week, more than 100 gunmen have been killed there and 10 tunnel systems were located, he says.

Hagari says that commanders speaking to the IDF chief in Rafah today said, “There are also hostages in the Rafah area. We are determined to do whatever it takes to create the conditions for them to return to us soon.”

In Zeitoun, more than 150 gunmen have been killed and some 80 sites used by terror groups were destroyed in an ongoing operation in the area, he says. The Zeitoun raid began Thursday.

And in Jabaliya, Hagari says, troops are now operating in areas of the city that the IDF previously did not reach in the initial ground offensive in northern Gaza. More than 80 gunmen have been killed in the operation so far, he says. The Jabaliya operation began Sunday.

Responding to a question on whether the IDF needing to return to areas previously cleared of Hamas is a result of the Israeli government not making a decision on who will rule Gaza instead of the terror group, Hagari says: “There is no doubt that a governmental alternative to Hamas will create pressure on Hamas, but that is a question for the political echelon.”