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Israel Strikes: Netanyahu’s Chilling Declaration – ‘It’s Just the Beginning’

Israel launched a massive airstrike against the Gaza Strip on Monday, striking dozens of targets in response to rocket fire from the Hamas-run territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the operation would continue “as long as necessary” to protect the Jewish state. The strikes, which struck residential neighborhoods and infrastructure in the densely populated Palestinian territory, marked the most significant engagement between the two sides since the 2014 Gaza war. At least eight people, including four children, were killed in the strikes and at least 47 were injured, according to the Palestinian ministry of health. The Israeli military said that that more than 1,000 rockets had been fired at it from Gaza, though more than 250 failed to make it across the border. The Israeli government said that it was targeting Hamas “terror sites” and made clear that the goal of the operation was to make the movement “feel the full intensity of the strikes”. Israeli military forces have also destroyed several buildings associated with Hamas and its allies. In a statement, Netanyahu said that the operation was a response to Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians and warned that more would follow if necessary. “We have only started,” Netanyahu said. “The operation will continue as long as necessary – until we restore calm to the citizens of Israel.” The Palestinian Authority has condemned the Israeli strikes, saying that it was an effort by Israel to “aggressively sabotage” efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region. The United Nations has urged both sides to work towards a ceasefire as soon as possible. The escalation between Israel and Hamas comes at a time when tensions in the region are high due to the ongoing protests in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government.