One of the goals of the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip is the elimination of the Hamas group by destroying its military and state potential, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in Tel Aviv, The Times of Israel reports.

”He says the objectives include eliminating the Hamas terror group by destroying its military and governmental capabilities, and completely removing any responsibility Israel has over Gaza by creating a new ‘security regime’ in the Strip,” the message reads.

In addition, the head of the Ministry of Defense said that the war would consist of three main phases, and today Israel is in the first stage of the military campaign.

"We are in the first phase of a military campaign with airstrikes and then ground maneuvers to kill militants and destroy infrastructure in order to defeat and destroy Hamas," the minister said.

During the second phase, combat will continue, but at a reduced intensity, as troops work to "eliminate pockets of resistance," Gallant said.

“The third step will be the creation of a new security regime in the Gaza Strip, the removal of Israel’s responsibility for day-to-day life in the Gaza Strip, and the creation of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel and the residents of the [area surrounding Gaza],” he says.