Netanyahu slammed after blaming Shin Bet, IDF for not providing early warning for terror onslaught, all but absolving himself of responsibility. Before the tweet was taken down, Benny Gantz, other former chiefs of staff lambast the prime minister for weakening the troops as they prosecute war.

"The United States will stand with Israel 100% – without hesitation, without qualification and without any apology. We're not going to be apologizing," Trump said to massive cheers, later adding he would sanction Iran and crack down on pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses.

Follow the i24NEWS liveblog on the latest developments in Operation Iron Swords.

In address to the nation, Netanyahu says that the fight against Hamas is "a second War of Independence" and is a fight "for the entire human race against the barbarians."

Barrages come as Israel intensifies its ground incursion in the Gaza Strip, ahead of a likely full-fledged invasion in response to the October 7 attack on the south by the terrorists in Hamas.