'War Against Hamas Will Be Long and Difficult'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the ongoing conflict against Hamas would be a "long and difficult" one. Israel had entered a "new phase" in the war, deploying ground forces into Gaza and expanding its attacks through ground, air, and sea operations. Netanyahu stated that these activities would intensify as Israel prepared for a broader ground invasion of the territory with the ultimate goal of completely destroying Hamas. He framed the conflict as a battle between good and evil and a struggle for Israel's very existence. Netanyahu also pointed out that while he couldn't confirm Iran's direct involvement in the operation, Iran had been responsible for years of funding, training, and support for Hamas, emphasizing the close ties between the two entities.