{
  "id": 14658504,
  "title": "Netanyahu's main rival vows to defeat Hamas within 18 months if elected PM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/netanyahus-main-rival-vows-to-defeat-hamas-within-18-months-if",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T09:04:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/10/1556194/netanyahus-main-rival-vows-defeat-hamas-within-18-months-if-elected-pm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, pledged on Thursday to eradicate Hamas from Gaza within 18 months if elected Prime Minister. Addressing reporters near the war-torn Palestinian territory, Eisenkot, leader of the center-right Yeshat party, stated he would accomplish this goal through either the implementation of the US President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan, which involves the gradual disarmament of Hamas and a transfer of power, or through Israel's military \"creative operations\" to destroy the movement's military wing.\n\nMeanwhile, Israel's army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir disclosed on Wednesday that the military was beefing up troop levels across all fronts due to heightened concerns of escalation as the country approaches the elections scheduled for October 27. Zamir attributed the increased risk of conflict to the election period, noting that Netanyahu is facing a tough race to retain power in the polls. In response to the heightened number of alerts across all military fronts and the heightened sensitivity of this political period, Zamir informed that the military had elevated its readiness level, preparing for potential surprise attacks.",
  "summary": "ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER: Israeli opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Miniter Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival in upcoming elections, vowed Thursday to defeat Hamas in Gaza if he becomes prime minister following the Oct 27 vote.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Eisenkot pledges to destroy Hamas 'within 18 months of becoming prime minister' at Gaza border",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/eisenkot-pledges-to-destroy-hamas-within-18-months-of-becoming-prime",
        "published": "2026-10-15T09:04:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "IDF destroys Hamas tunnel crossing Gaza's Yellow Line",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/idf-destroys-hamas-tunnel-crossing-gazas-yellow-line",
        "published": "2026-10-15T10:10:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}