1 of 2 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this Saturday (28) that the ground operation in Gaza begins the “second phase of the war” against Hamas Photo: Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP Israeli Prime Minister , Benjamin Netanyahu said this Saturday (28) that the ground operation in Gaza begins the “second phase of the war” against Hamas Photo: Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the ground operation launched by Israel in Gaza was the start of a second phase of the war against the extremist group Hamas and that it would be long and difficult.
He told a news conference that every effort would be made to free the more than 200 hostages held by the group and that the war cabinet was discussing the possibility of an exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
“Those who accuse us of war crimes are hypocrites,” Netanyahu said.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also said that the country was increasing attacks and that the greater the pressure on Hamas, the greater the chance of the hostages being released.
2 of 2 Israeli tank in Gaza Photo: Aris MESSINIS / AFP Israeli tank in Gaza Photo: Aris MESSINIS / AFP
150 targets were bombed
Israeli forces said they bombed 150 underground Hamas targets in the early hours of Saturday.
Attacks on Hamas’ underground targets have destroyed the group’s tunnels, underground fighting rooms and other infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip.
“In addition, several Hamas terrorists were killed,” the military added in a statement.
Israeli forces also said they had expanded their land operations from the northern Gaza Strip. A video released by the military shows several tanks circulating through the region.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel would “expand humanitarian efforts” by allowing trucks to enter the southern Gaza Strip with food, medicine and water.
Hamas leader killed
Another leader executed was the commander of the Hamas Brigade’s naval forces in Gaza City, Ratib Abu Tzahiban. He is accused by Israel of attempting to carry out a naval infiltration into the country on October 24.
In addition, Israel said it counterattacked Hezbollah after the armed group fired rockets into Israeli territory on Friday (28). In response, the Israeli military attacked the group’s bases in Lebanon this Saturday.
Netanyahu: The war in Gaza will be difficult and protracted