Rear Admiral and spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Daniel Hagari, stated that the ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip is coming to an end, and the army is preparing to extend operations to the south.

According to Hagari's recent statements, the IDF has operational control of several areas in the north and is close to completing operations in the last regions in that part of Gaza.

After achieving the complete dismantlement of the terrorist battalions operating in the strategic Jabalya area, the focus has turned to the neighborhoods that house the last strongholds of Hamas in northern Gaza.

"We have moved to fighting in Daraj-Tuffah. Daraj-Tuffah is adjacent to Shejaiya, and it completes [our operations] in Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, Shejaiya, and Daraj-Tuffah," Hagari stated in a press conference.

Although Shejaiya is one of the areas where some of the most intense fighting has occurred, Hagari was confident that the IDF would soon be able to focus on the south. "IDF troops are preparing to expand the activity to additional areas of the Strip, with an emphasis on its south," he assured.

However, it is expected that, even when the army manages to dismantle all Hamas battalions in northern Gaza, the IDF will remain there for a time to fight the insurgency and complete the dismantling of the terrorist group's infrastructure, including the network of underground tunnels and weapons depots. This phase, called "Stage 3", could last between three and nine months, depending on the resistance encountered by Israel.

As reported in the past by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Stage 3 could unfold differently depending on the Gaza area, as some areas could begin reconstruction while others remain in conflict.