Israel kills 60% of Hamas fighters, defence minister says

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced that the Israeli military has killed 60 per cent of Hamas fighters since the conflict escalated on October 7.

Gallant made the statement while addressing the Knesset, highlighting the significant impact on the militant group, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

"The army has eliminated most of Hamas battalions," Gallant stated, emphasizing the ongoing military efforts to weaken the group’s operational capabilities.

In a related development, Gallant announced plans to draft 3,000 ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the Israeli army by next year. This initiative follows a Supreme Court ruling in June that mandated ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, previously exempted, to join the military.

"Our goal is to draft all those that can be recruited according to the law. This is how we work," Gallant affirmed, outlining the gradual process for integrating the ultra-Orthodox community into military service.

The Supreme Court's decision marks a significant shift in Israeli policy, aiming to ensure that all eligible citizens contribute to national defence efforts, regardless of religious background. This change seeks to balance the nation's security needs with the principles of equality and legal compliance.

Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, spreading terror throughout the country. The carnage triggered a fierce response from Israel, whose military launched massive retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. Since then, the Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million inhabitants, under Israeli blockade since 2007, has been living under bombardment, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.