Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ground operation in Gaza marks the “second stage” of what he says will be a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.

BBC News says Mr Netanyahu confirmed in a a televised address that Israeli commanders are deployed “all over the Gaza Strip” as heavy bombing continues.

Civilians in Gaza remain cut off from the outside world, with phone lines and the internet are down for most people.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that “A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes.”

Meanwhile Reuters says the U.N. Security Council plans to meet on Monday on the Israel-Gaza crisis.

Israel has been bombing Gaza since the October 7th attacks by Hamas that killed 1,400 people and saw 229 people kidnapped as hostages.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 7,600 people have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory bombing began.

(Featured Image via BBC News)