According to an Israeli official, the US has not set a timeframe for wrapping up its campaign against Hamas in Gaza

Israel's national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi claimed the US has not given Israel a deadline to finish military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

They realize they cannot tell the IDF how long to reach its aims. Good thing they share aims. … It is correct to assume that we cannot measure this in weeks, and I’m not certain that it could be measured in months,” Hanegbi said.

Hanegbi said Hamas leadership did not foresee Israel's retaliation to the October 7 bombings, which killed 1,200 Palestinians.

“I do not think that (Yahya) Sinwar (Hamas’ leader in Gaza) realized that the IDF will actually reach any point they want inside Gaza, (and) kill over 7,000 terrorists,” he said.

“This is the minimal estimate, it could be higher since we don’t know everything,” he said. “We are approaching Hamas' control and command centers in Jabalia and Shejaiya, northern Gaza Strip resistance strongholds. In the south, we operate fiercely.”

As fighting continue in the strip, the Israel Defense Forces made “an urgent appeal” for residents to escape Khan Younis areas.

Hanegbi said Israel will strike against Houthi militants in Yemen who impede Red Sea shipping if the international community fails.