Netanyahu says war entering ‘second stage’ as troops push into Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country’s war with Hamas has entered its “second stage” as Israeli troops and armoured vehicles push into Gaza in an expansion of ground operations. In a press conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, Netanyahu told Israelis to prepare for a “long and hard” offensive, describing the campaign as the country’s “second war of independence” since 1948. “This is the second stage of the war whose goals are clear – to destroy Hamas’s governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home,” Netanyahu told reporters. “We are only at the start. We will destroy the enemy above ground and below ground.” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reports from Occupied East Jerusalem. Subscribe to our channel Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Check our website: Check out our Instagram page: