RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Israel says it’s prepared to fight for months or longer to defeat Gaza’s Hamas rulers, as its ground offense intensifies with more airstrikes and artillery fire. Qatar, which has played a key mediating role, says efforts to stop the war and have all hostages released will continue, but a willingness to discuss a cease-fire is fading. Israel is facing international outrage after its military offensive killed more than 17,700 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. About 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced, and U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee. Israel says 97 of its soldiers have died in its military offensive after Hamas raided Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.