"Protracted Conflict: Israel-Hamas War in Gaza Expected to Last Months"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight Hamas "until absolute victory," stating that the heroic fighters have not fallen in vain and that they are determined to continue the fight until Hamas is eliminated. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged US President Joe Biden to secure a lasting cease-fire in Gaza, warning that Israel's prolonged attacks may have negative global consequences. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that it will take several months to defeat Hamas in Gaza, as the militants have built infrastructure underground and above ground. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has described the current conflict as the largest displacement of the Palestinian people since the 1948 war. The situation in Gaza is worsening, with limited aid distribution, a destroyed health system, and the spread of disease. At least 17 journalists have been killed while covering the fighting in the Middle East since October 7, according to Reporters Without Borders. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is visiting Israel to hold talks with Israeli officials about the next phase of the war. Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder has arrived in Israel to show solidarity with the country and support its actions against Hamas.