Israeli Military Claims Hamas Group Has Been Defeated
JAKARTA - Hamas is no longer a militant group that its invasion of Israel sparked a two-year war in Gaza, an Israeli military spokesman said on Friday, claiming success in defeating the Palestinian militant group.
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip began on Friday, after previously Hamas and Israel reportedly agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
"Hamas was not Hamas two years ago. Hamas have been beaten wherever we fight them," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.
Furthermore, he urged Palestinians in Gaza to avoid entering the territory controlled by the Israeli Defense Forces in the enclave.
"I call from here on Gazans to avoid entering the territory controlled by the IDF. Comply with the agreement and ensure your safety," he said.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians began flocking to their abandoned homes after the US-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday and Israeli forces began to withdraw from several Gaza regions.
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It is known that Hamas and Israel continued indirect peace negotiations in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, discussing the 20-point peace proposal initiated by President Trump. Egypt and Qatar and the US are again mediators in this negotiation.