Hamas terror cells collapse as IDF tightens grip on Gaza

In a televised address on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a decisive message to Hamas, stating, “It’s over – surrender now.” The warning comes as Israel intensifies its efforts to dismantle the terror organization, closing in on its top target dubbed “Gaza’s Bin Laden.”

Netanyahu, speaking in Hebrew, urged Hamas terrorists to lay down their weapons, declaring, “The war is still ongoing, but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. Don’t die for [Yahya] Sinwar. Surrender now.” In recent days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have reportedly surrendered to Israeli forces, marking a significant development in the conflict.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are actively rounding up more terror suspects in Gaza, with Lt Gen Herzi Halevi stating that the Hamas network is showing signs of collapse. “We are seeing every day more and more terror operatives killed, more and more terror operatives wounded,” he emphasized, indicating a weakening of the terrorist organization.

Unverified footage circulating online depicts dozens of “terror suspects” being stripped and lined up next to heavily armed IDF soldiers and tanks. The footage suggests a potential breakdown within Hamas as individuals surrender to Israeli forces. This comes just two days after Israel claimed to have captured hundreds of Hamas terrorists, sharing footage of suspects sitting in the street – stripped, restrained, and blindfolded.

Hamas, however, remains defiant, warning that not a single hostage would leave Gaza alive until their demands are met. Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades, stated in a TV broadcast, “Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership, nor its supporters can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance.”

As Israel intensifies its offensive, it focuses on capturing Hamas’ top terror chief, Yahya Sinwar, believed to be holed up underground in the southern city of Khan Younis. IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner referred to Sinwar as the “mastermind” behind recent attacks, vowing to apprehend him.

In a recent interview, Lerner stated, “He is the person that financed [October 7], organized it, planned it, and gave the green light to go and kill and butcher, massacre, abduct, rape and behead Israelis. He’s at the top of our list. We intend on catching up with him and killing him in action.”

Despite ongoing hostilities, international calls for an immediate ceasefire persist. The United Nations (UN) chief described the conditions in Gaza as a “humanitarian nightmare,” with the majority of its 2.3 million population facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. The US recently vetoed a UN resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, further prolonging the conflict.

As the IDF claims to have struck 22,000 Hamas targets in Gaza, the situation remains dire, with the UN urgently appealing for an end to the violence. Hamas, on the other hand, continues its resistance, setting the stage for a protracted and challenging conflict.