Israeli Prime minister Netanyahu told the nation Saturday night that the miltary has opened a second stage in the war against Hamas by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the sea, air and ground. He said this will only increase ahead of a broad ground invasion into territory. He said the war will be long and difficult and the nation was ready for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bombardment described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war knocked out most communications in Gaza. This largely cut out the besieged enclave\u2019s 2.3 million people from the world while enabling the Israeli military to control the narrative in the new stage of fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The military released pictures showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, many near the border and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers. The underground sites are a key target in Israel\u2019s campaign to crush the territory\u2019s ruling group after its bloody incursion into Israel three weeks ago. The escalation brought more domestic pressure on Israel\u2019s government to bring about the release of dozens of hostages seized in the October 7 Hamas attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n