Israel’s Netanyahu says the Gaza war has entered a new stage, will be ‘long and difficult’
LA TimesIsraeli forces fire toward the Gaza Strip from southern Israel on Saturday as Israel expanded its ground operation in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation Saturday night that the military had opened a “second stage” in the war against Hamas by sending ground forces into the Gaza Strip and expanding attacks from the land, air and sea. “‘Never again’ is now.” Netanyahu also acknowledged that the Oct. 7 “debacle,” in which more than 1,400 Israelis were killed, would need a thorough investigation, adding: “Everyone will have to answer questions, including me.” The Israeli military said it was gradually expanding its ground operations inside Gaza, but stopped short of calling it an all-out invasion. She said that coordinating aid efforts was now “extremely challenging.” The intensified air and ground campaign raised new concerns about dozens of hostages taken to Gaza on Oct. 7. Hamas’ top leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, said the Palestinian militant groups “are ready immediately” to release all hostages if Israel releases all Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.