Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that the war against Hamas will be "long and difficult."
In a televised news conference, Netanyahu told the country that Israel has opened a “new phase” in the war – by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air and sea.
He said these activities would only increase as Israel prepares for a broad ground invasion into the territory. The goal, he said, is the complete destruction of Hamas.
Netanyahu described the war as a battle of good versus evil and a struggle for Israel's existence. Netanyahu said he could not say that Iran was a partner in this October 7 operation, but that Tehran was responsible for years of funding, training and support for Hamas.
"Without Iran, there's no Hamas, just like there's no Hezbollah," he said.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel has no interest in opening a second front with Hezbollah, but is prepared for all scenarios.
The Israel-Hamas war, in its 23rd day on Sunday, began after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip blew through Israel's highly fortified separation wall on October 7, and attacked an open-air music festival and Israeli border communities.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday that more than 7,700 Palestinians have been killed so far while Israeli officials recorded over 1,400 deaths in the aftermath of Hamas' attack.
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