Gaza City ground offensive will take several months, says Israeli military | World News

Hours after it launched the ground offensive, with an aim to occupy Gaza City on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it could take “several months” to complete.“We will act until the war objectives are achieved. We are not limited time,” Israel Defense Forces spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said.
‘Operation could take several months’
“We estimate it will take several months to secure the city and its centers of gravity, and additional months to clear the city fully due to deep and entrenched infrastructure,” Defrin said.
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Palestinians examine the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City. (Photo: AP)
This was the first time since Israel announced the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, in August, that the military has provided a timeline for its plan to take control of the enclave’s largest population center.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the IDF said in a statement that units from two armored and infantry divisions are operating on the ground inside Gaza City and another division will join them in the coming days.
The IDF also released footage showing troops of the 98th Division rolling into Gaza City. According to IDF, troops entered Gaza City with support from the Israeli Air Force and Navy and struck dozens of “terror infrastructures”  including observation posts and boo-trapped buildings.
Return of hostages a national commitment: IDF Chief
In a video statement, IDF Chief Eyal Zamir said that the return of the hostages was a war aim and a national and moral commitment.Story continues below this ad
He also said that Hamas has been weakened previous operations and the latest offensive will bring an end to the war.
“We have defeated the main part of its military power, and now we are deepening the achievements that will allow us to bring the end of the war closer,” Zamir, who has previously clashed with the Netanyahu government over the Gaza City occupation plan, said.
Netanyahu warns Hamas
On Tuesday, Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu also warned Hamas against using Israeli hostages as human shields.
“If they harm a hair on the head of even one hostage, we will hunt them down with greater force until the end of their lives—and that end will come much faster than they think,” Netanyahu said.Story continues below this ad
“And this is what I say to Hamas’s leaders. You will have no shelter anyway. But our effort to reach you will be redoubled sevenfold, and we will reach you much faster than you think,” he added.
Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip during the sunset. (Photo: AP)
Gaza will be destroyed: Israeli miner
Commenting on the ground offensive in Gaza City, Israeli Miner of Defense Israel Katz said the military operation will bring Hamas’s defeat, and the release of the hostages. According to Katz, Israel wants to take control of Gaza City “because it is today the main governing symbol of Hamas.”
“If Hamas continues this way, it will devastate Gaza. They will pay the price, and Gaza will be destroyed,” Katz said.