Israel says part of Hamas dismantled as war enters fourth month
Deccan ChronicleGAZA STRIP: Israel said it had "dismantled" Hamas's military leadership in northern Gaza as its war against the Palestinian group entered a fourth month Sunday, with fears mounting that the conflict could spread into neighbouring Lebanon. Israel's army said late Saturday it had "completed the dismantling of the Hamas military framework in the northern Gaza Strip" and its forces would now focus on central and southern areas of the territory. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would continue its campaign to "eliminate Hamas, return our hostages and ensure that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel". Hezbollah said it had targeted the Israeli military's Meron air control base with 62 missiles in its "initial response" to the killing of Saleh al-Aruri, Hamas's deputy leader, in Beirut.