CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM - Israel's Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, has declared that the war against Hamas is expected to continue for several months. Speaking from the Gaza border, he emphasized the need for determined and persistent efforts to dismantle the terrorist organization. The intensified Israeli actions around Christmas, particularly in a central area south of the Gaza Strip, raised concerns about the conflict spreading.

The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed grave concerns about the continued bombardment in Middle Gaza, with over 100 Palestinian lives claimed since Christmas Eve. The spokesperson emphasized that Israeli forces must take all measures to protect civilians, stressing that warnings and evacuation orders do not exempt them from international humanitarian law obligations.

Israel remains resolute in its mission to destroy Hamas despite global calls for a ceasefire in the 11-week-old war. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with Palestinian health authorities reporting nearly 21,000 people killed in Israeli strikes.

Notably, the conflict is showing signs of spreading beyond Gaza. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a container ship in the Red Sea, linking it to Israel's assault on Gaza. An Israeli airstrike in Syria killed a senior leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, while Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at a church on the Lebanon border.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged facing challenges on multiple fronts, listing Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. The United States, though urging Israel to scale down its operations, continues to be viewed as a supporter in the region.

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer held talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan on the ongoing conflict and the return of hostages. The U.S. military also carried out retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq after a drone attack on a U.S. base in Erbil.

The situation remains complex, with Israel engaging in a multi-front war and facing various challenges from Iran-backed militants in different regions. The international community continues to monitor the evolving dynamics of the conflict.