The Israeli defense minister said on Monday that Hamas has "lost control of Gaza" and its fighters are "fleeing south", after more than five weeks of war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Civilians "are looting Hamas bases. They no longer believe in the [Hamas] government" in power in the small Palestinian territory, stressed Yoav Gallant, in a video message broadcast on several television channels.

Israel has been bombing Gaza incessantly, by air, land and sea, for more than five weeks, in response to the unprecedented attack carried out on October 7 on its territory by Hamas.