The Israel Defense Forces has eliminated 17 out of 24 Hamas battalions during its operation in the Gaza Strip, with the majority of the remainder operating in the south of the enclave, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
"To date, we have eliminated 17 out of the 24 battalions. Most of the remaining battalions are in the southern Gaza Strip and in [the city of] Rafah, and we will get to them as well," Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting.
To achieve the goal, Israel needs to complete the "cleaning" of the remaining Hamas forces and completely destroy the movement's underground infrastructure, the Israeli prime minister added.
"Our forces are busy with that at all sites, and it requires even more time," Netanyahu said.
He also stated that Israel would not agree to a hostage release deal "at any cost," ruling out the possibility of Palestinian "terrorists" being freed from prisons in exchange for hostages.