Netanyahu claims Israel nears elimination of October 7 architects as Gaza control expands
Government asserts 60 per cent territorial control, exceeding ceasefire limits, while death toll in Gaza surpasses 72,700
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the elimination of the planners behind the October 7 attacks is nearly complete, a statement issued on Sunday following the confirmation of Ezzedine Al-Haddad’s death. Al-Haddad, the commander of Hamas’s armed wing, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood on Friday. The Israeli military described the operation as a dual-strike executed under direct orders, marking a significant escalation in the campaign against the group’s senior leadership.
During a weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that Israel was “very close to completing this mission” to remove every architect of the massacre and hostage-taking. He characterised Al-Haddad as a “despicable terrorist” and reiterated his pledge to eliminate those responsible for the assault, which resulted in 1,221 deaths in Israel according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The Israeli government has previously confirmed the deaths of other key figures, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, who was also a former commander of Hamas’s armed wing.
The Prime Minister’s comments coincided with assertions regarding Israeli military positioning in the territory. Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces currently control 60 per cent of Gaza’s territory. This figure exceeds the 50 per cent limit established by the US-brokered ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10 and required forces to withdraw to a designated “Yellow Line”. Recent media reports have indicated that Israeli troops have advanced toward a newly designated “Orange Line”, suggesting a continued expansion of operational presence despite the truce.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a substantial loss of life, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 72,700 deaths since the outbreak of war. The United Nations considers these figures reliable, noting that the majority of the deceased are civilians. The health ministry operates under Hamas authority, a detail frequently cited in international reporting on the humanitarian impact of the campaign.
Netanyahu framed the continued military operations as essential for long-term security, stating, “We have Hamas in our grip. We know exactly what our mission is, and our mission is: To ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.” The government’s focus remains on dismantling the organisational and military capabilities of Hamas, which it views as the primary source of regional instability.
