The Israeli army needs another 3 to 4 weeks to complete the military operation in the city of Khan Yunis southern Gazaand a corresponding time afterwards to complete the first stage of the war in Gaza against Hamas, the Walla news site reports.

Citing a senior Israeli official, the report said the US had not given Israel a firm deadline for ending operations, but noted that Washington had told Jerusalem that “time is running out”. The Israeli official added that the two sides they disagree by a month about how much longer the war should continue.

According to the official, the Biden administration if the intensive Israeli military operations are completed by the end of the month, but Israel believes they need to continue until the end of January.

“The American message is that they would like to see us end the fighting sooner, with less damage to Palestinian civilians and more humanitarian aid to Gaza. We would also like to see that happen, but the enemy does not always agree”the official was quoted as saying.

“The Americans understand this and we are working together. We need them and they need us,” the Israeli source noted.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the 98th Division continues to advance on the town of Khan Yunis characterizing her as the “Hamas’ main stronghold”. Against the advance of the Israeli army dozens of Hamas operatives are killed and tunnels destroyed, it was reported.

The Israeli military also announced that 7th Armored Brigade has launched an offensive to break through Hamas defense lines in southern Gaza, hitting dozens of anti-tank missile launch sites and observation posts. It said Israeli forces raided a main outpost belonging to the Deir al-Ballah battalion of Hamas, seizing weapons and intelligence material.

At the same time, troops of the Givati ​​Infantry Brigadethe 55th Parachute Reserve Brigade and the Kyriati Reserve Armored Brigade surround Khan Younis and carry out “targeted raids” on Hamas sites, IDF says.

The IDF says its 98th Division continues to advance in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, which it says is a “main Hamas stronghold,” killing dozens of operatives and destroying tunnels in the process.

The IDF says the 7th Armored Brigade has launched an assault to break Hamas’s lines… pic.twitter.com/ZCaRsryQfA

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) December 8, 2023

In one of the raids, troops found Hamas weapons at a school, including rocket launchers, mortars, explosive devices and other equipment.

Kiryati Brigade troops also captured a Hamas command center inside a mosque, where several agents were trapped, according to the IDF. It says the cell was killed, as was another group of Hamas gunmen who tried to escape through a tunnel in the area.

The Commando Brigade has carried out raids against what the IDF calls Hamas “centers of gravity” in Khan Younis, including the homes of Hamas operatives. Inside the houses, troops found weapons and intelligence material.

Amid the fighting, some Hamas fighters have surrendered to Israeli troops.