Israel’s Defence Minister pushed back against international calls to wrap up the country’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, saying the current phase of the operation against the Hamas militant group will “take time”. Yoav Gallant, a member of Israel’s three-man war cabinet, remained unswayed by growing criticism over the widespread damage and heavy civilian death toll caused by the war. Gallant refused to commit to any firm deadlines, but signalled that the current phase could stretch for weeks and that further military activity could continue for months.
