Netanyahu claims victory: "They have surrendered"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday, urged Hamas fighters to relinquish their weapons without delay. He declared that the recent surge in surrenders indicated the 'beginning of the end' for the Palestinian militant group.

"In recent days, many Hamas militants have given up their arms and surrendered to our forces. They have put down their weapons and surrendered to our brave soldiers," the Israeli Prime Minister explained, as quoted by the Times of Israel.

"This war will continue for a little longer, but this is the initial phase of the end for Hamas", added the prime minister.

"To all Hamas militants, I say: the end is here. Do not lose your life for (your leader Yahya) Sinwar. Surrender. Now!" declared Netanyahu.

On October 7, an attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 people. A retaliatory military operation by Israel is currently underway in the Gaza Strip.

In the early hours of October 7, Hamas initiated a surprise attack from the Gaza Strip, leading to the highest number of Israeli fatalities since the 1973 war against a Syrian-Egyptian coalition.

The ongoing conflict, lasting nearly two months, has resulted in the death of about 1,300 Israeli citizens and an estimated 16,000 residents of the Gaza Strip.

According to Sunday's announcement by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, governed by Hamas, the number of war-related fatalities in the Palestinian territories has reached at least 17,997, with 297 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Kidra informed Al-Jazeera television that approximately 49,500 people have been injured in Israeli attacks, including over 550 in the past 24 hours.

These numbers have not been independently confirmed. Israeli officials often assert that the actual figures are significantly lower, accusing Hamas of exaggerating the estimates.