It comes as Lebanon’s prime minister says that a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel could be imminent. In Gaza, he said, “if we take out the northern Gaza Brigade commander, it’s another collapse…. Amir Cohen/ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly pledged “absolute victory.” His defense minister and longtime political tormentor Yoav Gallant has bristled at that goal. That’s a far cry from the existing, maximalist war aim of eliminating Hamas’ military and governance capabilities. A spokesperson for the prime minister declined to comment.

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