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Israel vows to continue 'difficult' military operation in Gaza Israel-Gaza war: Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel paying 'heavy price'
(about 2 hours later)
The IDF says it is expanding its ground operations in southern and northern Gaza The Israeli PM chairing a cabinet meeting on Sunday
The Israeli military has vowed to continue its operation in Gaza, but admitted it is "protracted" and "difficult". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Gaza war has come at a "very heavy price" for his side.
A spokesman said over the weekend it was expanding its "ground operations in the southern and northern Gaza Strip". The military says 14 more soldiers have been killed in the Palestinian territory since Friday, bringing the total of the ground assault to 153.
Meanwhile, the US said Joe Biden spoke to the Israeli PM and emphasised the "critical need" to protect civilians. Saturday was one of its deadliest days - but Mr Netanyahu said his forces had "no choice" but to keep fighting.
In response, Benjamin Netanyahu said the war would go on until all Israeli goals were achieved. Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza - run by Hamas - says another 166 people were killed in the last day.
President Biden also told reporters that he had not asked Mr Netanyahu for a ceasefire. More than 20,000 people have been killed - mostly women and children, and 54,000 injured in Gaza since 7 October, the ministry says.
On Friday, the UN Security Council approved a resolution demanding large-scale aid deliveries to Gaza - but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire between the two warring sides. What Gaza's death toll says about the war
Talks held in Egypt earlier this week designed to secure a fresh truce between Israel and Hamas have so far failed to deliver results.
A Palestinian official familiar with the ceasefire negotiations has told the BBC that Egypt presented a new three-stage plan that begins with a two-week humanitarian truce which could be extended, during which Hamas releases 40 hostages and Israel releases 120 Palestinian prisoners.
This stage would be followed by the formation of an independent body to deal with humanitarian relief and reconstruction, as well as a comprehensive ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners.
Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?
'I don't want to be a number': Gazans live in fear of dying Remarking on the latest Israeli troop deaths, Mr Netanyahu said: "This is a difficult morning, after a very difficult day of fighting in Gaza."
The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 20,000 people have been killed and 54,000 injured in Gaza since the war began. Most of the dead are women and children, Hamas says. But he said his forces would continue with "full force until the end", reiterating his goals of eliminating Hamas and ensuring the safe return of hostages held in Gaza.
Israel says it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, and blames Hamas for embedding itself in densely-populated areas. "Let it be clear: this will be a long war," the Israeli prime minister added.
Meanwhile, the IDF has announced that 14 of its soldiers have been killed in fighting in Gaza since Friday, bringing the total to more than 150.
Responding to the deaths, Mr Netanyahu said on Sunday that the war was exacting a "very heavy price" on Israel, but that there was "no choice but to keep fighting".
Israel says 700 Palestinian militants have been arrested since it launched its military operation and invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas.
The Israeli operation began after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.The Israeli operation began after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.
Israel insists that it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, and blames Hamas for embedding itself in densely-populated areas.
US President Joe Biden - a key ally of Mr Netanyahu - emphasised the "critical need" to protect civilian lives during a call with the Israeli prime minister on Saturday, the White House said.
Mr Biden told reporters that he had not asked for a ceasefire in the call. Both men believe such a move would benefit Hamas.
On Friday, the UN Security Council approved a resolution demanding large-scale aid deliveries to Gaza - but this, too, stopped short of calling for a ceasefire between the two warring sides.
Talks held in Egypt earlier this week designed to secure a fresh truce between Israel and Hamas have so far failed to deliver results.
A Palestinian official familiar with the ceasefire negotiations told the BBC that Egypt presented a new three-stage plan that would begin with a two-week humanitarian truce - which could be extended - during which Hamas would release 40 hostages and Israel would release 120 Palestinian prisoners.
This stage would be followed by the formation of an independent body to deal with humanitarian relief and reconstruction, as well as a comprehensive ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners.
Many Palestinians have been forced to flee northern Gaza to the territory's southMany Palestinians have been forced to flee northern Gaza to the territory's south
Mr Netanyahu and Mr Biden discussed Israel's operation in Gaza in a phone call on Saturday. The Israeli military has kept up its bombing campaign in Gaza - ordering civilians to flee. The UN said the latest evacuation order affected 150,000 people in the middle of the territory.
Mr Biden "emphasised the critical need to protect the civilian population including those supporting the humanitarian aid operation, and the importance of allowing civilians to move safely away from areas of ongoing fighting", the White House said. On Saturday, Israel said 700 Palestinian militants had been arrested during its ground offensive to date.
Mr Netanyahu "made it clear that Israel would continue the war until all of its goals have been achieved", the Israeli PM's office said. It also said one of its fighter jets had killed Hassah Atrash, a man it accused of smuggling weapons into Gaza to arm Hamas. There has been no confirmation from Hamas.
In its update on Sunday, the Hamas-run health ministry said at least 166 people had been killed and 384 injured in the previous 24 hours. The Israeli military has said it has almost full operational control of the north of the Gaza Strip, and is stepping up operations elsewhere.
The Israeli military has kept up its bombing campaign in Gaza - ordering civilians to flee. A spokesman has said troops are entering new Hamas strongholds in southern areas.
On Saturday, it said one of its fighter jets had killed Hassah Atrash, a man it accused of smuggling weapons into Gaza to arm Hamas. There was no confirmation from Hamas. Briefing his cabinet on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu denied suggestions the US president had persuaded him against further expanding his military operation.
The Israeli military has said it has almost full operational control of the north of the Gaza Strip, and is stepping up operations in the south. The Wall Street Journal had reported that Mr Netanyahu had been talked out of attacking Hamas's ally in Lebanon, the Hezbollah group.
The UN said the latest evacuation order affected 150,000 people in the middle of the territory. A government spokesperson told the BBC "the situation in the north... is intolerable" and that Israel was "trying to deter Hezbollah from dragging us into a war".
"We will continue making the necessary preparations to repel this threat from the northern border," he added.
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