In the last few moments, Israel’s prime minister has given a televised addressed.
During the speech, Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women during their attack.
Boys and girls had also been shot in the head and people had been burned alive, he said.
At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the incursion, which set off a fierce response in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier today, Mr Netanyahu joined with a top political rival to create a wartime Cabinet.
The new Cabinet establishes a degree of unity after years of bitterly divisive politics, and as the Israeli military appears increasingly likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza.
The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence on Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis.
Israeli troops prepare for ‘combat’ in Gaza
Over the past couple of days, analysts have predicted Israel could launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation to the group’s incursion.
Our security and defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke has said the country could be just “hours or days” from launching its operation.
In a sign something might be brewing, the Israeli Defence Forces has released footage of its troops preparing for “combat”.
Israel has already blocked food, fuel and medicines from entering Gaza in what it called a “total siege”.
Leave a Reply