Netanyahu adviser rules out change in approach to Hamas

Israel has not changed its position on Hamas after the truce in Lebanon, Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister, told Izvestia.

Deception by blows: things escalated in Lebanon amid truce talks

The UN mission said the Israelis are going deeper into the country

"Israel's position remains unchanged: the destruction of Hamas power and the release of all our kidnapped citizens. The conclusion of a truce with Lebanon and the actual neutralization of Hezbollah will be able to help increase pressure on terrorists in Gaza and move closer to the stated goals of the war," Gendelman said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) added that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon has nothing to do with Gaza. IDF spokesperson Anna Ukolova told Izvestia.

"We are still conducting military operations in Gaza to bring the hostages home," she noted.

The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon came into force on November 27 at around 10-11 a.m. Moscow time. Under the agreements, Israel is obliged to withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days. "Hezbollah, on the other hand, must move its military forces north of the Litani River.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive piece:

Hamas is not concerned: Israel will continue the war in Gaza despite the truce with "Hezbollah"