Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed resuming combat in full force against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. His comments came after Israeli aircraft launched massive airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians in Gaza. He called the airstrikes the beginning and said that fighting in the enclave had resumed with full force.
In a video statement on national television, he warned that negotiations will continue only under fire. Mr Netanyahu said that Israel would press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims, destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militant group. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in talks to extend the truce. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand.
The strikes came as Mr Netanayahu comes under mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the head of Israel’s internal security agency. His latest testimony in a long-running corruption trial was cancelled after the strikes.
In a video statement, he warned that “negotiations will continue only under fire” and that this is just the beginning.
