Tel Aviv [Israel], November 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday declared that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire until the Hamas terror group releases the hostages it is holding, The Times of Israel reported. “Take this (word ‘ceasefire‘) out of the lexicon. We will continue until we defeat them; we do not have an alternative,” Netanyahu is quoted saying in a statement from his office.

In his interactions with Air Force personnel, Prime Minister Netanyahu alluded to the opposition within his government’s ranks regarding the now-paused judicial overhaul. Earlier this year, this reform had drawn protests from some reservists who announced they would stop reporting for volunteer reserve duty.

Netanyahu expressed his determination, saying, “Our enemies mistook us. They thought that on a crucial day, (soldiers) would not show up. We showed up together, and now we are fighting shoulder to shoulder,” according to The Times of Israel.

Meanwhile, in a briefing to international media outlets, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari presented new intelligence information and evidence demonstrating Hamas’s use of medical facilities in the Gaza Strip for terror purposes. Hagari revealed a video showing an underground entrance from Sheikh Hamad Hospital, connecting to Hamas tunnel networks. Another video depicted Hamas gunmen opening fire at Israeli forces from within the hospital.

Hagari further disclosed the IDF’s intelligence about a tunnel network under the so-called Indonesian Hospital, along with aerial imagery showing rocket launchers located near the complex. “If it weren’t enough that we exposed a tunnel under the hospital, the terrorists also shot at our soldiers from within the hospital,” he said.

He added, “Hamas systematically built the Indonesian Hospital to disguise its underground terror infrastructure” and presented recordings of calls between Hamas officials discussing their use of fuel reserves belonging to the Indonesian Hospital.

Separately, Hagari highlighted the IDF’s efforts to warn Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south. Over 20,000 phone calls and more than one and a half million fliers were distributed in northern Gaza. He emphasised, “Our war is with Hamas, not the civilians in Gaza. We will not accept Hamas’s cynical use of hospitals, to hide their terror infrastructure. Hamas’s exploitation of hospitals must come to an end.”

The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with Israel pressing for the release of hostages and steadfastly rejecting calls for an immediate ceasefire. Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza has intensified, particularly in the north, where many civilians remain trapped and unable to flee. Israeli attacks on three refugee camps in the last 24 hours have killed more than 50 people. At least 9,770 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. More than 1,400 people were killed in Israel, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

“Israel will find and eliminate Hamas Gaza Chief”: Defence Minister Gallant

Tel Aviv [Israel], November 5 (ANI): Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that the Israeli forces will get to Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar and eliminate him, Times of Israel reported on Saturday.
He has said that the forces are prepared to fight until victory “as long as it takes”.

After touring the northern border and in the south in the past two days, Gallant said that he was told by reserve soldiers that they are prepared “to fight until victory” and for as long as it takes. “If it takes a year, Israel must complete the mission,” he says they told him.
“There are fighters here who are prepared to do everything,” Gallant said during a press conference. “This determination characterizes the entire population of Israel”.
Gallant said that the Israeli forces have engaged in heavy battles with terrorists in Gaza over Shabbat, are attacking Gaza City from both the south and north, and have entered urban areas, Times of Israel reported.
He added that the IDF is “fighting terrorists in command posts and tunnels,” and destroying bunkers, tunnels and more.
“The fighting is progressing well, step after step. Many terrorists are being killed. We are taking apart Hamas battalion after battalion,” Times of Israel quoted him as saying.
Gallant added, “Twelve Hamas battalion commanders have been killed and we will reach them all, and all the terrorists in the field.”
The Israeli Defence Minister said that “Hamas has no limits” — as Israel saw on October 7 with its horrific assault and its brutal atrocities.
“The Hamas leadership is responsible. We will get to that leadership,” he vowed.
“We will get to [Hamas Gaza chief] Yahya Sinwar and eliminate him. If the residents of Gaza get there ahead of us, that will shorten the war,” Times of Israel quoted Gallant him as saying.
Earlier in the day, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi held an assessment with forces inside the Gaza Strip today, the military stated.
Halevi met with the commander of the 162nd Division, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, and other officers.
In another development, Israel bombed the house belonging to Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza Strip, Times of Israel reported citing Arabic media.
As per the report, a missile was fired at the home in the Al-Shathi neighbourhood in northern Gaza. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the strike.
Several protestors rallied outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apartment on Jerusalem’s Azza Street, calling on the premier to resign over the terror attack on October 7 carried out by Hamas, Times of Israel reported. (ANI)