Israel expands ground operations; Gaza war enters 'second stage'

JERUSALEM: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night that the military has opened a "second stage" in the war against Hamas by sending

ground forces

into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air and sea. He said it will only increase ahead of a broad ground invasion into the territory. "It will be long and difficult," he said.

"We are ready."
The bombardment, described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war, knocked out most communications in Gaza. This largely cut off the besieged enclave's 2.3 million people from the world.
Netanyahu told the nationally televised news conference that Israel is determined to bring back all the hostages, and maintained that the expanding ground operation "will help us in this mission." He said he couldn't reveal everything that is being done due to the sensitivity and secrecy of the efforts.

This is the second stage of the war, whose objectives are clear: To destroy the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and bring the hostages home," he said. The Israel military released grainy images showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, many apparently near the border.
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza on Saturday rose to just over 7,700 people in the three weeks since the war began, with 377 deaths reported since late Friday, according to the Gaza health ministry. Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra told reporters that the disruption of communications has "totally paralysed" the health network. Residents had no way of calling ambulances, and emergency teams were chasing the sounds of artillery barrages and airstrikes to search for people in need.

Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, said Saturday the militant group was ready for an "immediate" prisoner swap with Israel. "We are ready to conduct an immediate prisoner exchange deal that includes the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for all prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance," he said.