May 17, 2024

Earlier today, a huge rocket barrage was launched from the Gaza Strip which sent more than one million Israelis scrambling for cover. Five were said to be lightly wounded. 

It comes as Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza claimed 700 people had been killed in the last day by Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that strikes had been severe on Monday, claiming “during our attacks in Gaza, we dealt the enemy the hardest blow he has suffered in a single day”.

Speaking to elite IDF troops, he said: “We are facing the next stage [of the operation], it is on its way. You know it, you are part of it, you are part of the spearhead.”

He added: “We have only one task – to crush Hamas, crush it. We won’t stop until we get it done.”