TEL AVIV, October 29. /TASS/. Israeli troops have crossed into the Gaza Strip to eliminate the radical Palestinian organization Hamas and to release the hostages captured during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 and held in the enclave since then, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
"Citizens of Israel, last night our ground troops went through the Gaza gates to enter the den of evil. It is a war with clearly defined objectives, which are to ruin Hamas’ power and have the hostages back," he said in a televised address to the nation.
Netanyahu was speaking together with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, an opposition leader and a new cabinet member, who took the floor after the prime minister. Their speeches were followed by a press conference.
In his remarks, the prime minister emphasized that the decision to "expand the ground operation" in Gaza was taken unanimously by the military cabinet.
"We did so in a measured and sensible way, as we are responsible for the fate of the country and have a duty to preserve our soldiers. The fighters and commanders who are now fighting in enemy territory know that the people and their leadership are behind them," he said.
Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory on October 7, when many Israelis living in the settlements near the border were killed and more than 200 people, including children, women and the elderly, were taken hostage. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.