Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Hamas had entered a second phase with the deployment of ground troops in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Netanyahu held a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on the 28th local time, and said that the ground military operation that started in the Gaza Strip on the 27th the previous day was “the second phase of the war, and the goal is clear,” adding, “This will undermine Hamas’ rule and military capabilities.” “To destroy it and bring the hostages home,” he said.
Earlier, the Israeli military has been expanding its operations, including mobilizing ground troops and fighter jets to conduct airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since the 27th. Additionally, it was reported that some ground forces, including tanks, had already entered the Gaza Strip on this day and are still remaining there.
Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized, “We are only just beginning,” and “we will destroy our enemies on the ground and underground.”
However, he said, “This operation will not be simple or easy,” and “(The operation) will be long and difficult, but we are ready.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who attended the press conference that day, said, “We are not interested in escalating the war, but we are prepared on all fronts.”
He also emphasized that the Israeli military is currently dealing a serious blow to Hamas, and that the greater the pressure on Hamas, the greater the chances of saving the hostages.
On this day, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with representatives of the families of hostages held by Hamas prior to the press conference.
At this meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We will use all options” to return the hostages.
The armed political faction Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in the early morning of the 7th, killing over 1,300 civilians and taking over 200 hostage.
Afterwards, Israel declared war on Hamas and carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
Gaza health authorities announced that the number of deaths in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes was 7,650.
VOA News
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2023-10-29 00:02:42
