{"id":120782,"date":"2023-10-31T10:29:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T10:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=120782"},"modified":"2023-10-31T10:29:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T10:29:44","slug":"netanyahu-declares-its-time-for-war-as-israeli-tanks-roll-into-gaza-strip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/world-news\/netanyahu-declares-its-time-for-war-as-israeli-tanks-roll-into-gaza-strip\/","title":{"rendered":"Netanyahu declares its time for war as Israeli tanks roll into Gaza Strip"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Gaza on Monday, advancing in tanks and other armoured vehicles on the territory\u2019s main city and freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants.<\/p>\n

It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a cease-fire, declaring that it’s “time for war” as airstrikes landed near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering beside the wounded.<\/p>\n

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees told a UN emergency meeting yesterday that \u201can immediate humanitarian ceasefire has become a matter of life and death for millions\u201d, accusing Israel of \u201ccollective punishment\u201d of Palestinians and the forced displacement of civilians.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said a soldier captured during Hamas\u2019 brutal Oct. 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza \u2014 the first rescue since the weekslong war began.<\/p>\n

Military officials provided few details but said in a statement that Pvt. Ori Megidish, 19, was \u201cdoing well\u201d and had met with her family.<\/p>\n

Read more <\/strong> Hamas hostages paraded in new video showing three women pleading for release[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Netanyahu welcomed her home, saying the “achievement” by Israel\u2019s security forces “illustrates our commitment to free all the hostages”.<\/p>\n

Netanyahu, who faces mounting anger over Israel\u2019s failure to prevent the worst surprise attack on the country in a half-century, also said he had no plans to resign.<\/p>\n

Hamas and other militant groups are believed to be holding some 240 captives, including men, women and children.<\/p>\n

Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure to secure their release even as Israel acts to crush Hamas and end its 16-year rule over the territory.<\/p>\n

Hamas, which has released four hostages, has said it would let the others go in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including many implicated in deadly attacks on Israelis.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Israel has dismissed the offer, and Netanyahu said the ground invasion \u201ccreates the possibility\u201d of getting the hostages out, adding that Hamas will \u201conly do it under pressure\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Israeli military has been vague about its operations inside Gaza, including the location and number of troops.<\/p>\n

Israel has declared a new \u201cphase\u201d in the war but stopped short of declaring an all-out ground invasion.<\/p>\n

Larger ground operations have been launched both north and east of Gaza City, with troops facing fierce resistance from Hamas fighters.<\/p>\n