In Kibbutz Be'eri, the commandos eliminated terrorists who had barricaded themselves in homes and on the kibbutz's roads, rescued the hostages, and saved lives under fire.

As Operation Iron Swords continued, the PM told the nation about what was unfolding as Israel prepared for a ground offensive.

"We are striking our enemies with unprecedented might," Netanyahu said in a brief statement which, unusually, was televised after the Jewish Sabbath had begun. "I emphasize that this is only the beginning."

The current situation means Israel is now able to not only to overthrow Hamas and to destroy its capabilities, but also to create a situation where the Gaza Strip no longer disturbs the State of Israel – neither politically, from a security point of view, economically, or in any other way.