The Israeli Defense Minister Joab Gallant warned Sunday that Israel’s upcoming ground offensive on the Gaza Strip could last months, but it would be the last if Israel succeeds in exterminating the Hamas terrorist group.

“This must be the last manoeuvre [εδάφους] in Gaza, for the simple reason that then Hamas will not exist. It will take a month, two months, three, but in the end, there will be no Hamas,” he said at the Israeli Air Force (IAF) command center in Tel Aviv.

“Before the enemy meets the armored and infantry forces, will meet the bombs of the Air Force”he continued.

“I get the impression you know how do it in a lethal, precise and very “quality” wayas has been demonstrated so far,” he added, addressing the IAF officials.

IAF Commander Major Tomer Barr said in a briefing to IAF squadron and unit commanders ahead of the next phase of the war:

“I wouldn’t want to change position with our enemies and meet a brigade or division of the Israel Defense Forces.’

“Netanyahu to Hezbollah: If you go to war, Lebanon will be destroyed”

The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he warned again earlier Hezbollah against the opening of a second war front with Israel, stating that if this happens, it will result retaliation of “unimaginable” size, with Israeli raids that will cause “disaster” in Lebanon.

In an official transcript of Netanyahu’s briefing to Israeli special forces men near the border with Lebanon, he said: “I can’t tell you now whether Hezbollah will decide to enter the Gaza war fully.”

This war began after a devastating border attack by Hamas on October 7, while it’s a matter of “life or death” for Israel, Netanyahu added.