’Are you ready?’: Netanyahu visits Israeli soldiers as deadline passes

Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli soldiers that “the next stage is coming”, ahead of an expected ground offensive of Gaza. The Israeli prime minister was visiting infantrymen outside the Gaza Strip when he asked them if they were ready for the next stage in Israel’s stated aim to crush Hamas. Centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz has said Israel was ready to “wipe this thing called Hamas off the face of the Earth”, following a brutal attack by the terrorist group last week. On Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister warned that Hizbollah has scenarios “designed” and “prepared” if Israel does not stop its attacks on Gaza and that “their finger is on the trigger to shoot.” Read your updates here: #palestine #israel #gaza Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.