Israel¡¯s military appeared to suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu¡¯s long-stated goal of destroying Hamas is unachievable, emphasizing the difficulties in claiming victory in a war that¡¯s now into a ninth month.
¡°To say we are going to destroy Hamas, to make it disappear ¡ª it¡¯s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public,¡± Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in an interview with Israeli TV. ¡°Hamas is an idea. Whoever thinks we can make it disappear is mistaken.¡±
After his comments attracted controversy ¡ª including a dressing down from Netanyahu ¡ª the Israel Defense Forces clarified that he was referring to ¡°the elimination of Hamas as an idea and ideology.¡±
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