Israel Defense Forces claims killing 20,000 Hamas militants in 15 months

In the almost 15 months of its military operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has killed around 20,000 armed members of Palestine’s radical movement Hamas, Chief of the IDF General Staff Herzi Halevi said, reported from TASS.

"Hamas’ military wing has been severely damaged. Most of the organization’s leadership has been killed, including its head Yahya Sinwar, as well as senior figures in its military wing, including its head Mohammed Deif. The IDF has eliminated nearly 20,000 Hamas terrorist operatives," Halevi said in a statement, released a few hours after news of his resignation was made public.

He also said that during its operation against Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, the IDF has elliminated almost 4,000 of its members, including its head Hassan Nasrallah. In his words, the IDF has also eliminated 794 Palestinian radicals during its raids in the West Bank.

Halevi announced his resignation on Tuesday, naming March 6 as his final day in office. He said that over the remaining period, he planned to complete an internal investigation into Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and to take measures aimed at boosting the country’s defense capabilities.

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