Admits Israel Will Not Be Able To Eliminate Hamas, IDF: They Are Measuring The People's Hearts

JAKARTA - Senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials admit that Hamas will not be able to believe it because it is rooted in the hearts of the people, with every belief being able to eliminate it is a mistake.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Badhi said on Wednesday Israel's war goal of eradicating the militant group would not be achievable at this time, briefly underscoring tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and high-ranking defense officials related to the war in Gaza.

"The business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear, it's just like throwing sand into the eyes of the public," Laksda kazi told the Channel 13 news in an interview.

"Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It takes root in the hearts of the people anyone who thinks we can eliminate Hamas wrong," he continued.

"if the government does not find an alternative, (Hamas) will remain in the Gaza Strip," he warned.

In response, PM Netanyahu's Office said in a statement that the cabinet of the security cabinet "has designated the destruction of military capabilities and the Hamas Administration as one of the purposes of war."

"Israel Defense Forces is of course committed to this," the statement added.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit then issued a statement that the military was committed to war goals declared by the government, including destroying the capabilities of the Hamas administration and military, adding that Laksda Miki spoke in the interview about "putting down Hamas as ideology and ideas."

"Every opposite claim is a statement taken out of context," he added.

However, Laksda miri's comments on Wednesday echoed statements he made last month when he was asked if the military's decision to return to the area previously cleared of Hamas was the result of a government that made no decision on who would rule Gaza and not the terror group.

"There is no doubt that the government's alternative to Hamas will create pressure on Hamas, but that is a question for political echelons," he said at the time.

On the other hand, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has urged PM Netanyahu to advance plans for a postwar government plan in Gaza, warning in May that failure to find a replacement for Hamas would undermine Israeli military achievements, as the terror group would be able to reunite and reaffirm control of the enclave.

In addition, Defense Minister Gallant called on PM Netanyahu to rule out Israel's military and civilian rule in Gaza after the war, which was previously backed by several right-wing members of the Netanyahu PM Administration coalition.

Meanwhile, television reports said IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and head of Shin Bet Ronen Bar also recently clashed with PM Netanyahu over strategic planning, while National Unity leader Benny Gantz stepped down last week from the war cabinet, after the prime minister refused to submit a postwar plan on the time limit he set.

There have been signs of recent tensions between the military and PM Netanyahu, including regarding the "treadistical bridge" in fighting along the way in southern Gaza which the prime minister criticized. The IDF said the move was in line with its instructions to increase the number of aids entering the Gaza Strip.

"To achieve the goal of destroying Hamas' ability, I must make decisions that are not always accepted by military leaders," Prime Minister Netanyahu said at Sunday's cabinet meeting.

He also satirized the IDF by saying "we have a country with soldiers, not soldiers with the state," which is the opposite of the satire about Prussia.