Israel’s military appeared to suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-stated goal of destroying Hamas is unachievable, emphasizing the difficulties in claiming victory in a war that’s now into a ninth month.
"To say we are going to destroy Hamas, to make it disappear — it’s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in an interview with Israeli TV. "Hamas is an idea. Whoever thinks we can make it disappear is mistaken.”
After his comments attracted controversy — including a dressing down from Netanyahu — the Israel Defense Forces clarified that he was referring to "the elimination of Hamas as an idea and ideology.”
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