Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday a planned ground offensive in the Gaza Strip will begin when conditions allow it.
"The ground operation in Gaza will begin when conditions are ready," Gallant told reporters.
The defense minister refused to answer a journalist's question about the possible impact of the ground offensive on efforts aimed at freeing Israeli captives held by Hamas in the enclave.
"The security establishment is preparing for the next steps in the war against Hamas," Gallant said. "It is a war for the homeland. Either we or them, and we will win."
Gallant said Israel managed in 24 hours after the outbreak of the war to return to an offensive position "with extraordinary intensity."
"We have 1,400 civilians and soldiers killed in battles and 224 kidnapped ones as well, and I am determined to make every effort to return the kidnapped ones (prisoners held by Hamas) to their families," he added.
