Israel's Defense Minister announced the lifting of restrictions in the war with Hamas and will use all necessary measures to destroy the enemy.
"We have regained control of our territories and are moving towards a full-scale offensive. We will use all our power to destroy those who kill civilians and refuse to compromise," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers during a frontline inspection near the Gaza Strip on October 10.
Mr Gallant praised Israeli soldiers for "fighting bravely" against Hamas militants who had infiltrated their territory, but said they would continue their campaign to deal with the group.
"Hamas cannot continue to exist after massacring Israeli children on its territory. I have lifted all restrictions, so that anyone who opposes us will be destroyed by all possible means," he said.
The Israeli military previously had strict rules governing the conditions under which soldiers could open fire when dealing with Palestinians. They were required to prioritize capturing attackers alive, and if necessary, to fire warning shots first. They were only allowed to use lethal force if the attackers were throwing Molotov cocktails or stones at vehicles.
"Hamas wants to change Gaza, but it will change in the opposite way to what they expect. The enemy will regret this period, Gaza will never be the same again," the Israeli Defense Minister added.
Israeli self-propelled artillery deployed near the Gaza Strip border on October 10. Photo: AFP
Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Daniel Hagari later said the top priority now was to "eliminate senior Hamas members". "This effort will be relentless," he said.
Jonathan Conricus, another Israeli military spokesman, announced on the morning of October 11 that the country was deploying 300,000 soldiers from all branches of the army and reserve forces around the Gaza Strip. "They are ready to carry out the tasks set by the government," he said.
Hamas, the armed group that controls the Gaza Strip, announced on October 7 that it had launched thousands of rockets and conducted a coordinated raid by land, air, and sea against Israel.
Tel Aviv then declared a state of war, launching retaliatory strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. Fighting between the two sides has left more than 1,900 people dead and about 7,000 injured as of October 10. Israeli officials say there are about 100-150 people being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
In addition to airstrikes on the densely populated territory, Israel’s defense minister has ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, cutting off its supply of electricity, food, clean water and fuel. An Israeli military spokesman said on October 10 that civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip were legitimate targets.
Locations of clashes between Hamas and the Israeli army on October 7-8. Graphics: CNN
The Gaza Strip is home to 2.3 million Palestinians who depend on supplies from outside Israel. The United Nations and the European Union say Israel has the right to respond, but have called on it to abide by international law, which prohibits a total blockade of civilian areas.
Vu Anh (According to Times of Israel )
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