Fighting in Gaza will go on for seven more months at least, Israel's national security adviser says

YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. Fighting in Gaza will likely go on for seven more months at least, Israel's national security adviser has said, Sky News reports.

Tzachi Hanegbi said Israeli forces were in control of 75% of the Philadelphi corridor, a buffer zone along the border between Gaza and Egypt.

"Inside Gaza, the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] is now in control of 75% of the Philadelphi corridor and I believe it will be in control of it all with time. Together with the Egyptians, we must ensure weapon smuggling is prevented," he told Israel's public broadcaster Kan.

He added that he expected fighting in Gaza to continue throughout 2024 at least.

More than 36,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive, Gaza's health ministry says. Israel launched the operation after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.