Israel ‘preparing for ground operation’ as Netanyahu vows to ‘crush’ Hamas

International aid groups warned that deaths in Gaza could accelerate as the territory runs out of supplies amid an Israeli blockade

An Israeli military spokesman said that forces ‘are preparing for a ground manoeuvre’ (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Palestinians in Gaza spent the night in pitch darkness, surrounded by the ruins of destroyed neighbourhoods, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush and destroy” Hamas, with the support of a new war cabinet that includes a long-time opposition critic.

“Every Hamas member is a dead man,” Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address.