Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces had entered the second phase of the conflict in Gaza, with ground operations targeting Hamas militants, Reuters reports.
Netanyahu vowed to “destroy the enemy above ground and below ground” but stopped short of calling it a full-scale invasion. Israel warned Palestinian civilians to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military was concentrating its attacks.
The situation in Gaza worsened with the loss of communication as phone and internet services were cut. Health authorities in the Gaza Strip say 7,650 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s campaign. The conflict has also sparked protests worldwide in support of Palestinians.
