Israel’s efforts to destroy the fighting capability of Hamas forces in the northern portion of Gaza were announced a success on Sunday by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

As of Sunday, the IDF reports having killed between 8,000 and 9,000 Hamas militants since October 7 — the prewar estimate of Hamas’s fighting forces was 30,000.

Following the murder of the 1,200 Israelis three months ago today — and the unknown casualties among the 240 hostages still held by Hamas — the IDF reports a further 170 combat deaths sustained through three months of combat.

With the north in hand, the IDF is turning to the eradication of Hamas in central and southern Gaza, which brings with it the increasing challenge of limiting civilian casualties while eliminating Hamas leadership man by man, sector by sector.

Meanwhile, IDF reserve battalions are returning home to “gather strength for the upcoming activities in the next year,” according to Admiral Hagari earlier this week.