LONG & DIFFICULT

>> We will win this vows Netanyahu >> 'We are going to save our nation'

- ANDY LINES

BENJAMIN Netanyahu last night said Israeli troops have begun the ground offensive in Gaza but warned the conflict with Hamas will not be over any time soon.

The Israeli Prime Minister said: "This will be a long and difficult war." But he vowed in a televised address to his country: "We will win. We will prevail. We will fight and we will not surrender. We will not withdraw."

As Palestinian sources said the death toll from Israel's onslaught had reached 7,700, fears grew for the safety of Gaza's 2.2 million population.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel will make sure "the Hamas murderers...pay the price for the October 7 massacre that left 1,400 dead and triggered the current conflict.

He said Israel has two clear goals to wipe out Hamas and rescue the 229 people it has taken hostage.

He said: "Our calls are very clear - to destroy the military and government ability of Hamas and return the victims home.

He added: "We're going to save our country. We're going to fight in the air, ground and we are going to fight and win. This is the mission of my life...in your name and the name of everybody.

Mr Netanyahu spoke after Israel unleashed its deadliest bombardment yet on Gaza when warplanes hit more than 150 underground Hamas tunnels and bunkers and tanks and other forces pushed into the Strip.