TEHRAN- The Russian foreign minister’s comments about Israel’s incapability to defeat Hamas have shed light on the fact that its military clout has deeply eroded.

Speaking in Malaysia after attending the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos at the weekend, Sergey Lavrov dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of eliminating Hamas as “unrealistic”. 

"Israel says through Netanyahu that the war will not end until Hamas is completely eradicated. In my opinion, and that of many of my partners, that is an unrealistic mission. Hamas continues to exist and has sufficient capabilities and support including in the Muslim world," he said.

Previously, the European Union, the US intelligence community and the Israeli military’s intelligence have made similar remarks. 

The Israeli military spokesman has adopted a more transparent position. 

“This business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear — it’s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public. Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people — anyone who thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong,” Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said last month. 

Hence, the top Russian diplomat’s statements, in fact, highlight the Netanyahu regime’s desperation in the Gaza battlefield and its vulnerability in the face of growing resistance against its brutal war in the Palestinian enclave. 

Lavrov’s stance also comes after Netanyahu visited the US where he delivered a speech to Congress and met with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. 

During his trip, the Israeli premier seized every opportunity to demonize Hamas and rally support behind his genocidal war in Gaza. But huge protests held by pro-Palestine groups in the United States against Netanyahu’s visit made it clear that his plots have fallen flat. 

Netanyahu has insisted that the Israeli army will continue the Gaza war until “destroying” Hamas. 

Israel is under domestic and international pressure to end the war which has claimed the lives of more than 39,300 Palestinians since October 7.

Israeli protesters also want a ceasefire with the resistance group in a bid to secure the release of captives who are held in Gaza. 

More than 1,100 people were killed and about 250 others were taken captive when Hamas carried out a surprise military operation in southern Israel on October 7 which was followed by the regime’s brutal onslaught. 

Over 100 of the captives were freed following a deal with Hamas in late November last year. 

Nonetheless, Netanyahu has resorted to publicity stunt to justify the war of genocide on Gaza.

Despite the high civilian death toll in Gaza, Palestinians continue to support Hamas which has dealt severe blows to the Israeli army on the battlefield. 

The Palestinian resistance will ultimately emerge victorious and give a painful lesson to the usurping Israeli regime. It would be only a matter of time before the aggressors are sent to the dustbin of history.