(New York Post) The Israeli military has touted that their forces have killed more than 17,000 Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip since the war began, with US officials saying the Jewish state has achieved “the vast majority” of its goals against the terrorists.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said about 56% of Hamas’ estimated 30,000 forces have been wiped out since Israel waged war following the Oct. 7 massacre.
Hagari said the blow has greatly affected Hamas’ ability to regroup and recover as small battalions have continued to resurface across Gaza after months of intense fighting.
The latest death count is about double what officials had previously estimated in January, when US intelligence found that about 20%-30% of Hamas forces were eradicated.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the update proves Israel has decimated the terror group’s military capabilities and leadership at all levels.
Kirby also reaffirmed that the US will continue to assist Israel in its ultimate goal of assuring Hamas is wiped out and no longer poses a danger to the Jewish state after more than 1,200 people were killed on Oct. 7.
“Hamas is not just a military organization. It is also an ideology, which still does not believe in the existence of the State of Israel, an ideology which continues to persist in the warped idea that what happened on the 7th of October ought to be able to happen again,” Kirby told reporters Thursday.
