Yoav Gallant says Israel will be shifting away from the “intense maneuvering phase of the war” in Gaza toward “different types of special operations” but will not abandon its goal of destroying Hamas, Al Jazeera reports.

The war cabinet minister told the Wall Street Journal that the next chapter of the war “will last for a longer time”.

“We’re close to the next phase in the north, including Gaza City,” where Israeli troops have claimed “dismantling” Hamas command, he said. “It will take some time, but we aren’t going to give up.”

He also had some threatening words for Hezbollah, saying Israel is ready to engage in a destructive war with the Lebanese group as well.

“We are willing to sacrifice,” he said. “They see what is happening in Gaza. They know we can copy-paste to Beirut,” the Lebanese capital.