Netanyahu vows victory over Hamas ‘in months’ as threat of Rafah assault looms

Here are the top developments in the Israel-Hamas war:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing his Likud party on Monday, said that Israel would achieve “complete victory” by eliminating Hamas leadership.

  “Our goal is a complete victory over Hamas. We will kill the Hamas leadership, so we must continue to operate in all areas in the Gaza Strip. We must not end the war before then. It will take time — months, not years,” said Netanyahu, as quoted by the Times of Israel.

• Public statements from both sides reveal a stark contrast in narratives, with Netanyahu claiming significant damage to Hamas’ capabilities, while senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri accused the Israeli Prime Minister of “playing the game of making delusional victories” in the face of continued resistance.

• Despite Israeli military action, Hamas fighters have reportedly resurfaced in areas of Gaza that were thought to be cleared, highlighting the challenges Israel faces in its goal to dismantle the group. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israeli forces would persist with operations in northern Gaza for an extended period while also focusing on the southern region, which has seen intense combat.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is engaging in his fifth Middle East visit since the war began, and met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on Monday to discuss a potential ceasefire and postwar reconstruction, amid ongoing regional tensions.

  In his talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Blinken stressed the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and prevent the conflict from escalating further, as per State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

• Israel has not ruled out a new ground assault on Rafah, where nearly half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are currently displaced and living in temporary shelters.

  There are fears that Israeli forces could push into Rafah even as a ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt has been presented to Hamas, who are seeking further assurances before agreeing to halt hostilities. The offer proposes a truce of at least 40 days when the militants would free civilians among remaining hostages they are holding, followed by later phases to hand over soldiers and bodies.