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<\/source><\/picture>Israel has initiated a new phase in its war against Hamas, expanding its military operations to include ground forces in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision aims to destroy Hamas\u2019 governmental and military capabilities and to secure the release of hostages.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made during a televised news conference<\/a> Saturday. The escalation comes three weeks after an incursion by Hamas into Israel, in which militants attacked nearby Israeli towns on Oct. 7, torturing, raping and murdering civilians, and taking as many as 222 hostages.<\/p>\n Netanyahu told reporters that the ground operations would assist in securing the release of the hostages. However, he didn\u2019t provide further details due to the sensitivity of the military operations.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are moments in which a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die,\u201d Netanyahu said. \u201cWe now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end: We will be the victors. We will do and we will be the victors.\u201d<\/p>\n Gaza residents said the ongoing bombardment is the most intense they\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground reported that the majority of communications in the area were knocked out on Friday, but were restored to many by Sunday, the newswire said, adding that the Israeli military released images of tank columns moving in open areas of Gaza.<\/p>\n Many of these columns were near the border.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s airstrikes have targeted dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers. These underground sites became significant after the Hamas attack on Israel.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, family members of the hostages met with Netanyahu Saturday, expressing support for a potential prisoner swap with the top Hamas leader in Gaza.<\/p>\n Netanyahu\u2019s office also released a statement denying prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 Hamas assault, saying he was not warned \u201cin no way and at no stage,\u201d The Times of Israel reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Both the head of the Shin Bet and the head of Israel Defense Forces military intelligence had assessed that Hamas was deterred, the newspaper said.<\/p>\n The IDF urged civilians in Gaza to move south of Wadi Gaza. The announcement was made through a video posted on IDF social media on Sunday, according to<\/a> CNN, which said Egypt and the United States will expand humanitarian efforts to Gaza on Monday, as announced by Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in the same video.<\/p>\n However, with limited or no internet since late Friday, the evacuation warning may not reach all Arabic-speaking Gazans.<\/p>\n The International Committee of the Red Cross called for an immediate de-escalation in Gaza. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric emphasized that the current situation is a \u201ccatastrophic failing.\u201d<\/p>\n Spoljaric also mentioned the parties involved are obligated under international humanitarian law to spare civilians. She said the ICRC has offered to facilitate any future hostage release operation.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports in Syrian opposition media that Israel has targeted Syrian Army posts in the Quneitra area of southern Syria.<\/p>\n Netanyahu has said that more than 1,400 people were killed in the Oct. 7 attacks.<\/p>\n