Israeli military suggests war with Hamas will last through 2024
Newsy
Despite international calls for a cease-fire, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu said the war would continue for "many more months."
Nearly three months after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel, Israel Defense Forces officials suggest that the ongoing war in Gaza could last through all of 2024.
That prediction comes as the international community has been divided on whether to support Israel's ongoing bombing campaign of Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that left nearly 1,200 people dead.
Israel has retaliated by unleashing a bombing campaign that has displaced most of Gaza's 2 million residents, causing a significant humanitarian crisis. But Israel says it remains undeterred as officials say dismantling Hamas and returning all 129 remaining hostages are a priority.
"It is something that will take some time," IDF spokesperson Peter Lerner told Scripps News from Tel Aviv. "You know, this war actually could be over and this is just something that I would suggest we reconsider for a moment. If Hamas lays down its weapons, unconditionally surrenders and lets the hostages go, the war would be over."
Lerner told Scripps News that diplomats are still working on the release of the 129 remaining hostages who remain captive by Hamas. But Lerner could not say how close the two sides are to a cease-fire.
