Benjamin Netanyahu vows that “all Hamas fighters are doomed” as he says Israel is “preparing” to invade Gaza, issuing another warning to the terrorist group

Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas terrorists that they were “doomed” as he vowed to press ahead with a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip last night.

Israel’s prime minister said the fight against the gunmen who massacred civilians on October 7 was necessary to “save our country” and that the airstrikes on Gaza were just “the beginning.”

The Israeli prime minister confirmed that the country was preparing to invade the Gaza Strip and reiterated that troops had already “eliminated thousands of terrorists.”

But questions remain about the exact time frame after reports that the country delayed the ground attack to allow the US to send anti-missile missiles to the region.

Mr. Netanyahu refused to give details of the “considerations” of the invasion in a televised address last night, but said the timing of the Israel Defense Forces operation “will be decided unanimously by the Cabinet that is waging the war.”

Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) warned Hamas terrorists they were “doomed” as he vowed to press ahead with a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip last night

The Israeli prime minister confirmed that the country was preparing to invade the Gaza Strip and reiterated that troops had already “eliminated thousands of terrorists.” Pictured: People search inside buildings for survivors and the bodies of victims destroyed during the Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis on Wednesday

But questions remain about the exact time frame after reports that the country delayed the ground attack to allow the US to send anti-missile missiles to the region. Pictured: Palestinian children injured in Israeli airstrikes arrive at Nasser Medical Hospital on Tuesday

Mr Netanyahu said: “We have set two main goals for this war: to destroy Hamas by destroying its military and state capabilities and to do everything in our power to return our hostages home.”

“All Hamas fighters are doomed. Above ground, below ground, inside and outside Gaza.”

Hamas is believed to be holding around 222 hostages in Gaza, ranging in age from nine months to 85 years.

Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged that an “examination of conscience” was needed to find out how the terror group was able to carry out the murderous Oct. 7 attack without the knowledge of the country’s intelligence services.

But he said his job now was to lead Israel to “complete victory” over its enemies. He added: “When we enter Gaza later in our fight, we will receive the full price from the terrorists who committed these Hamas atrocities.”

He urged Israelis not to “forget a moment” those killed in the Hamas attacks and announced there would be a national day of mourning to remember the victims.

“It is like shooting thousands of arrows into our bleeding heart,” he told the country, adding: “Together we will fight and together we will win.”

Mr Netanyahu said the country’s Special War Cabinet had made the final decision on when troops would enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave.

He said he would not say how or when the invasion would take place or how large it would be. However, last night it was suggested that the planned attack had been put on hold at the request of the White House.

“I want to make it very clear that the timing of the IDF deployment will be decided unanimously by the cabinet that is leading the war, together with the chief of general staff,” he said.

“We are working to ensure the best and optimal conditions for your next missions.”

Mr. Netanyahu also called on civilians to evacuate to the south of the Gaza Strip and said the country would help people “obtain their personal weapons in a controlled manner.”

Mr Netanyahu said the country’s Special War Cabinet had made the final decision on when troops would enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Pictured: Palestinians search for bodies and survivors as smoke rises from the rubble of a devastated area following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Wednesday

Mr. Netanyahu said he would not say how or when the invasion would take place or how large it would be. However, last night it was suggested that the planned attack had been put on hold at the request of the White House. The picture shows Palestinians searching through the rubble in Gaza City on Wednesday

Mr. Netanyahu also called on civilians to evacuate to the south of the Gaza Strip and said the country would help people “obtain their personal weapons in a controlled manner.” Pictured: A Palestinian man and his son walk through the rubble of a devastated area following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Wednesday

The Pentagon is seeking to deploy nearly a dozen air defense systems to protect U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, including in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Syria.

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials were concerned that terrorist groups across the region would attack American troops once the raid begins.

There have been at least 13 drone and missile attacks in Iraq and Syria since October 18, injuring about two dozen US soldiers. However, President Joe Biden denied the reports, telling reporters: “It’s their decision, but I didn’t demand it.”

Israel is also considering the need to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, as well as diplomatic efforts to free more hostages from the clutches of Hamas. A large-scale ground attack threatens to further escalate geopolitical tensions in the region.

On Tuesday, a news agency with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it was “likely” that Lebanon’s Tehran-backed Hezbollah group would become drawn into war with Israel.

During a trip to Cairo yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron said a “massive” ground attack on Gaza would be a mistake, suggesting instead that the international coalition fighting the terror group Isis should be revived to root out Hamas.

Mr. Biden warned: “There is no going back to the October 6 status quo” between Israelis and Palestinians.

Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Mr Biden said he would “guarantee” that Israel “has what it needs to defend itself against these terrorists”.

Last night Mr Netanyahu pledged to enlist the support of the international community for the impending invasion.

President Joe Biden said he would “guarantee” that Israel “has what it needs to defend itself against these terrorists.” Mr Biden is pictured on Wednesday

He said: “We are mobilizing the support of world leaders to continue this campaign, and many of them today understand what we have been repeating since 2014: Hamas is Isis and Isis is Hamas.”

“I tell them that our war against Hamas is also their war against Hamas… it is a fight between the axis of evil of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran and the axis of progress and freedom.”

Eight Syrian soldiers were killed by Israeli airstrikes in southwest Syria yesterday, according to the Syrian state news agency Sana.

The Israeli military said its fighter jets hit Syrian army infrastructure and mortar launchers, which it described as a response to rocket fires from Syria into Israel.