Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed on Sunday (Mar. 31) that—according to captured senior Hamas operatives—the group is "collapsing from within."

The Times of Israel quoted Gallant saying that "hundreds of terrorists have been captured," and "the price [the group is] paying is very heavy."

"We're going to eliminate everyone who was involved in the events of October 7, the junior [officials], the senior ones and the very senior ones; those who were inside [Israel] or who gave instructions," he said, referring to the date of Palestinian terror group Hamas's massive attack on Israel that started the ongoing war.

Gallant also said that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would continue fighting until they reach all terrorists in Gaza. 

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"In the last few days, we have also seen very great progress, both in [reaching] the terrorists in the field and the more senior commanders, even very senior ones," he added, referring to the recently-concluded IDF operations at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where some 200 fighters suspected to be affiliated to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were killed and over 500 were captured. 

According to the IDF, they have seized a cache of weapons allegedly concealed in the maternity ward of the hospital, following intelligence reports indicating that top officials were holed up there despite being raided and under Israeli control since November. 

Some 350 patients and medical staff at Shifa Hospital were evacuated by the IDF to a "designated compound" in another part of the complex, where the military has provided them with humanitarian aid and supplies.

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