Netanyahu vows to dismantle Hamas tunnel network

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today said that Israel is determined to destroy all the tunnels built by Hamas to infiltrate into its territory, signalling a prolonged conflict in the Gaza strip.
Speaking ahead of the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers were currently finishing off the job of destroying tunnels.
He said that most of the 32 tunnels it has uncovered have now been demolished and that dismantling the remainder will take no more than a few days.
"We have neutralised dozens of terror tunnels and we are committed to complete this mission, with or without a cease-fire," he said.

He also added that Israeli troops had destroyed "thousands of terror sites" and "hundreds of terrorists had been killed".
"Hamas has taken hard hits," he said adding that the operation has a planned course of action and the completion of the mission is on track.

The Israeli Prime Minister also called on the citizens to stand together during these tense and tough times.
"At this time I call on the people and the MKs (members of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament) to stand behind the forces.
"In the days that our soldiers are fighting the enemy and endangering themselves, we owe it to them. If we are together, we are stronger," he said.

Recent surveys have shown that an overwhelming majority of the Israeli population supports the operation in Gaza.
Israel's Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon told the security cabinet that the damage done to Hamas by the IDF in Operation Protective Edge is "unprecedented in its scope."
"Israel would not compromise on the security of its citizens in any truce to end fighting", Ya'alon said at the start of the meeting.
The total number of reservists stand at 86,000 at present and a total of 1,374 Palestinians have been killed in the operation, mostly civilians.
The 24-day-long military campaign has claimed the lives of 56 Israeli soldiers and three civilians including a Thai national.