Tel Aviv: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that the second stage of the war against Hamas started with the entrance of more ground forces into Gaza on Friday night, The Times of Israel reported.

He said that Israel's goal is to "defeat the murderous enemy and to ensure our existence in our land.

His statement comes after the Israel Defence Forces chief has said that the military is carrying out ground operations in the Gaza Strip at present which serve to achieve all the war's objectives, The Times of Israel reported.

Netanyahu said that the soldiers are part of a legacy of Jewish warriors that he stressed goes back 3000 years. He said that they have one goal, "To defeat the murderous enemy, and to ensure our existence in our land."

While addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, he stressed that Israel's war aims are clear - "destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities; and returning the hostages home."

He said that the decision to start the ground incursion was made unanimously by the war cabinet and the security cabinet, according to The Times of Israel report.

He stated, "Our commanders and soldiers fighting in enemy territory know that the nation and the national leadership stand behind them." He said that the soldiers he has met in the field are determined to make Hamas pay for its actions on October 7.

Netanyahu said, "They are determined to eradicate this evil from the world, for our existence and, I add, for all of humanity." He said, "We always said, 'Never Again'. Never Again' is now."

Israel's PM said his heart is broken after meeting families of kidnapped and pledged to utilize every opportunity to "return our kidnapped brothers and sisters to their families' embrace." He called their abduction a "crime against humanity."

Benjamin Netanyahu called those who "dare to accuse our soldiers of war crimes" hypocrites and liars. Calling IDF "the most moral army in the world," he said that the "IDF does everything to avoid harm to non-combatants." He called on the people of northern Gaza to relocate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu accused Hamas of war crimes and added that it "uses citizens as human shields" and hospitals as terror headquarters and takes fuel meant for hospitals to supply its war.

He said, "Israel is fighting not only its war but humanity's war against the barbarians," The Times of Israel reported.

He further said, "Our allies in the Western world, and our partners in the Arab world, know that if we do not win, they are next in line in the campaign of conquest and murder from the axis of evil."

He stated that the initial stage was a massive air campaign to allow Israel's ground forces "to go in as safely as possible." He stated that Israel destroyed countless headquarters and terrorist infrastructure.

He said, "We eliminated countless murderers, including mass murderers. We destroyed countless headquarters and terrorist infrastructure. We are only at the beginning."

Calling it Israel's "second war of independence", Netanyahu emphasised that the war will be "long and hard and we are ready." He said that Israel would fight to defend the homeland and they would not withdraw.

He said that Israel would destroy the enemy "above ground and below the ground" and called the war one of "light over darkness, life over death. This is the mission of our lives and my life."

On Saturday, Benjamin Netanyahu met representatives of families whose loved ones have been held captive in Gaza. After meeting them, Netanyahu said that Israel "will exercise exhaust every possibility" to bring about their return, The Times of Israel reported.

He told the families that freeing the hostages was a chief goal of the war. He said, "The key is the level of pressure." Netanyahu said, "The greater the pressure, the greater the chances [of freeing the captives]", The Times of Israel reported. He also told them that there was no avoiding a major ground incursion, including to ratchet up pressure on Hamas.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released footage of the interrogation of Hamas terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack on Israel, where they confirm the terror group has a hideout under Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The video was released a day after the IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari accused Hamas of having its main base of operations under the hospital in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Saturday, Israel Air Force announced that combined combat teams of armoured, engineering and infantry forces have been operating on the ground in the northern Gaza Strip.

Taking to X, Israel Air Force stated, "Combined combat teams of armoured, engineering and infantry forces are operating on the ground in the northern Gaza Strip, starting yesterday evening. As part of the activity, the IDF forces identified terrorist squads that were trying to launch anti-tank missiles and high-trajectory fire - and attacked them. In addition, a trapped house was located that was attacked by the forces."

In a post shared on X, IDF stated, "Combined combat forces of armour, combat engineers and infantry have been operating on the ground in northern Gaza since early Friday evening. As part of the operation IDF soldiers: Identified terrorist cells attempting to launch anti-tank missiles and mortar shells and struck them. Identified and destroyed a booby-trapped structure. IDF tanks directed IAF helicopters, who struck the building of a Hamas operational meeting point."

IDF attacked the military infrastructure of Hezbollah in Lebanon after three launches from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory were identified.

In a post shared on X, IDF stated, "Following the initial report on the alert that was activated in Shtula, three launches from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory were identified, which fell in open areas. In response, the IDF attacked a military infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon."