Israel's Netanyahu Vows to Crush Hamas as Death Toll Rises

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency war council and vowed to "demolish Hamas" as Israel's ground invasion in Gaza loomed. The death toll continues to rise, with over 3,700 lives lost on both sides. Conditions in Gaza have deteriorated, with health workers forced to store bodies in ice-cream trucks. Israeli forensic teams have found signs of abuse, including physical torture, rape, and mutilation. The Israeli military has urged Palestinians to evacuate, but some civilians feel unsafe anywhere. The US has shown support for Israel, with extra attack aircraft arriving in the region. Clashes on Israel's border with Lebanon have also raised concerns. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working to prevent further escalation and reopen the Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza for aid delivery. President Biden has condemned Hamas for endangering Palestinian lives and causing a humanitarian crisis.