# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military would enter Gaza with full force in the coming days. He told injured reserve soldiers that completing the operation means destroying Hamas. Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on 18 March amid a deadlock over how to proceed with a 19 January ceasefire that had largely halted the war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Earlier this month, Israel’s government approved plans to expand its Gaza offensive, with officials talking of retaining a long-term presence there.
Netanyahu says military will enter Gaza with full force in the coming days