The Muqata The Prime Minister's Office has released a statement confirming that Netanyahu has ordered the IDF to launch a ground offensive. "The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense ordered the IDF to launch a ground operation in order to strike terror tunnels from Gaza into Israel. These are the very terror tunnels Hamas used to infiltrate Israeli territory this morning, in order to carry out a massive terror attack. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense ordered the IDF to prepare for the expansion of their ground operation. The order for tonight's operation received the cabinet's approval after Israel accepted the Egyptian ceasefire proposal and Hamas rejected it. In addition, Hamas did not respect the humanitarian ceasefire initiated by the UN, and continued to fire at Israel during the ceasefire. In light of Hamas's incessant criminal aggression, and the dangerous infiltration into Israel, Israel is obliged to protect its citizens. Operation Protective Edge will continue until it fulfills its mission -- restoring quiet to Israel's citizens for a prolonged period of time while dealing a significant blow to the infrastructure of Hamas and the rest of the terror groups in the Gaza Strip."

The Prime Minister's Office has released a statement confirming that Netanyahu has ordered the IDF to launch a ground offensive. "The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense ordered the IDF to launch a ground operation in order to strike terror tunnels from Gaza into Israel. These are the very terror tunnels Hamas used to infiltrate Israeli territory this morning, in order to carry out a massive terror attack. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense ordered the IDF to prepare for the expansion of their ground operation. The order for tonight's operation received the cabinet's approval after Israel accepted the Egyptian ceasefire proposal and Hamas rejected it. In addition, Hamas did not respect the humanitarian ceasefire initiated by the UN, and continued to fire at Israel during the ceasefire. In light of Hamas's incessant criminal aggression, and the dangerous infiltration into Israel, Israel is obliged to protect its citizens. Operation Protective Edge will continue until it fulfills its mission -- restoring quiet to Israel's citizens for a prolonged period of time while dealing a significant blow to the infrastructure of Hamas and the rest of the terror groups in the Gaza Strip." The Muqata Live updates from Israel!