Israeli defence minister: 60% of Hamas terrorists killed or wounded

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have killed or wounded 60% of Hamas terrorists and that most of the Islamist organization's battalions have been smashed.

Gallant made the comment to parliament on Wednesday, according to Israeli media.

Israel announced the complete destruction of Hamas as a war objective after the massacres carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7.

As long as Hamas retains a hold in the Gaza Strip, it can rebuild and strengthen itself, Israeli officials have said, meaning the IDF would then have to return and fight in areas where it had already been deployed.

Gallant has called for the creation of a political alternative to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of Gaza after the end of the war.

Observers say this is likely because he is trying to avoid conflict with his far-right coalition partners who favour the building of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, an extremely controversial proposition.