Officials say Israel weighing land invasion

Officials in Jerusalem tell The Times of Israel that Hamas chose to escalate the exchange of fire with Israel and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has therefore instructed the army to launch a “continuous, methodological, and forceful campaign” against the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.

“The directive to the Israel Defense Forces is to be ready to go until the end,” the sources say, adding that even a ground operation is on the table.

It is likely that the IDF will call up additional reservists to prepare for a possible invasion of the strip, the sources say.

The purpose of Operation Protective Edge is to “is exact a heavy price from Hamas, to hit it hard, and to create a significant attack that that will lead to deterrence,” the sources say.

In addition to the op’s military aspect, the prime minister is also active in the diplomatic arena, planning to call to several international leaders to explain to them why Israel was forced to act, they add.

— Raphael Ahren