’We are no more dealing with another operation but with an existential threat for the State of Israel,’ says Kobi Michael of INSS.

During a briefing for journalists, Lt Masha Michelson, deputy head of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) international press department, said that this ‘’uprecedented attacks needs an unprecedented response.’’

‘’Hamas must be removed. A strong Hamas means a stronger Iran. By weakening Hamas we are weakening Iran,’’ asserted Prof. Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies  (INSS) in Tel Aviv  and editor in chief of “Strategic Assessment.’’

An expert of Gaza and the Palestinian scene, he noted that Hamas ‘’got a serious and reliable policy insurance from Hezbollah and Iran.’’ ‘’What happened Saturday is a game changer. Israel cannot 0tolerate this,’’ he added during an emergency online briefing for European journalists organized by Europe Israel Press Association (EIPA).

“This time it won’t be a Six-Day War, it will be longer and more painful”, he warned. We will need weeks to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure and prepare an alternaztive for Hamas.’’

‘’Israel will not negotiate with Hamas until it is defeated,’’ he said.

‘’We are no more dealing with another operation but with an existential threat for the State of Israel,’’ Michael stressed. ‘’What happened is not less than a strategic catatastrophy and upheaval.’’

During the briefing, Lt Masha Michelson, deputy head of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) international press department, said that this ‘’uprecedented attacks needs an unprecedented response.’’

She said multiple options have been presented by the army to the security cabinet for a decision. ‘’Once it is safe in the country, the IDF  will investigate what happened.’’

“Forty-four soldiers were killed in the fighting to reclaim the territories invaded by the attackers,” she explained, pointing out that there had been a thousand invaders “at 32 infiltration sites” and that the dozens of hostages who had been taken included women, children and the elderly, “including a 97-year-old woman”.

Hamas has killed at least 800 Israelis and wounded more than 2,300 on Saturday in a massive offensive that included the launch of thousands of rockets at the Jewish state.

Of the 2,382 wounded, 22 remain in critical condition, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. In addition, 345 Israelis sustained severe wounds.

During the briefing, journalists also heard moving testimonies from residents of communities on the Gaza who have been affected by the terrorist attacks.