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IDF Has Killed or Wounded 60% of Hamas Terrorists in Gaza, Israeli Defense Chief Says
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (not pictured) in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 28, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has killed or wounded 60 percent of Hamas fighters during its ongoing military campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group in Gaza, according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Speaking on Wednesday to lawmakers at the Knesset, the name of Israel’s parliament, Gallant also revealed that Israeli forces have eliminated most of Hamas’ 24 battalions.
“The action of the IDF that has so far led to the elimination of over 14,000 terrorists and the collapse of the military frameworks of Hamas is, in fact, the testimony of what I am saying,” he said. “Everything will be done in accordance with the law and in accordance with the operational need.”
Gallant also described how anyone who participated in Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel will be held accountable.
“There is no refuge and no safe place for those who took part in the massacre against Israeli citizens; we will bring him to justice,” he said. “Eventually, we will reach them all.”
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists launched the ongoing war on Oct. 7 by invading southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people, and kidnapping about 250 others as hostages. Mounting evidence has revealed that the terrorists also systematically perpetrated rampant sexual violence, including gang-rape and torture, against the Israeli people during the onslaught.
Israel responded with a military campaign in neighboring Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas, aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling the terrorist group’s military and governing capabilities.
“There are only two options for these people: prison or the graveyard,” Gallant said of those involved in the Oct. 7 atrocities, according to Israeli media reports.
“IDF soldiers have been working tirelessly for nine months in the most just war we have known throughout our existence,” the defense chief added. “IDF soldiers fought courageously and stopped them during the first days, and then moved the war to enemy territory with a powerful attack.”
However, Gallant noted the importance of maintaining international support during the war.
“We have returned half of the hostages and we are determined to return the rest,” he said. “The security establishment is determined to achieve the goals of the war. In order for us to be able to do these things, it is appropriate that we preserve our support on the battlefield.”
Beyond answering questions from Israeli lawmakers, Gallant also met with US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk.
“The two discussed the importance of seizing the opportunity created to achieve an agreement for the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,” the defense ministry said in a statement about the meeting, which took place on Tuesday evening.
“They discussed the challenges that remain in achieving such an agreement, as well as possible solutions to address them,” the ministry said.
According to the statement, Gallant also said that while Israel supports the opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the Jewish state will not tolerate the return of Hamas to the area.
Reuters contributed to this report.
The post IDF Has Killed or Wounded 60% of Hamas Terrorists in Gaza, Israeli Defense Chief Says first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Trump Hosts Qatari Prime Minister After Israeli Attack in Doha
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani attends an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, at UN headquarters in New York City, US, Sept. 11, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
US President Donald Trump held dinner with the Qatari prime minister in New York on Friday, days after US ally Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.
Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with an attack in Qatar on Tuesday, a strike that risked derailing US-backed efforts to broker a truce in Gaza and end the nearly two-year-old conflict. The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.
Trump expressed annoyance about the strike in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sought to assure the Qataris that such attacks would not happen again.
Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani were joined by a top Trump adviser, US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended,” Qatar’s deputy chief of mission, Hamah Al-Muftah, said on X.
The White House confirmed the dinner had taken place but offered no details.
The session followed an hour-long meeting that al-Thani had at the White House on Friday with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A source briefed on the meeting said they discussed Qatar’s future as a mediator in the region and defense cooperation in the wake of the Israeli strikes against Hamas in Doha.
Trump said he was unhappy with Israel’s strike, which he described as a unilateral action that did not advance US or Israeli interests.
Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally. Qatar has been a main mediator in long-running negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and for a post-conflict plan for the territory.
Al-Thani blamed Israel on Tuesday for trying to sabotage chances for peace but said Qatar would not be deterred from its role as mediator.
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Trump Urges NATO Countries to Halt Russian Oil Purchases
US President Donald Trump gestures during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Aug. 26, 2025. Photo: Jonathan Ernst via Reuters Connect
i24 News – US President Donald Trump issued a letter to NATO nations on Saturday, impressing upon them to stop purchasing Russian oil and impose major sanctions on the regime of Vladimir Putin to end its war in Ukraine.
“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA. As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia,” the message read.
“Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when? I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR. China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip.”
Trump’s post comes after the recent flight of multiple Russian drones into Poland, widely perceived an escalatory move by Russia as it was entering the airspace of a NATO ally. Poland intercepted the drones, yet Trump played down the severity of the incident and Russia’s motives by saying it “could have been a mistake.”
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Netanyahu Says Getting Rid of Hamas Chiefs in Qatar Would Remove Main Obstacle to Gaza Deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the US Independence Day reception, known as the annual “Fourth of July” celebration, hosted by Newsmax, in Jerusalem, Aug. 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Pool
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that getting rid of Hamas chiefs living in Qatar would remove the main obstacle to releasing all hostages and ending the war in Gaza.
Israel on Tuesday targeted the Hamas leadership in Doha.