Israel’s war in Gaza is ‘do or die’ says PM Benjamin Netanyahu after vow to ‘cut head off the snake’ of Iran

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza is "do or die" for his country as he addressed troops on the border with Lebanon.

Netanyahu made the remarks as Israeli forces stepped up airstrikes ahead of a looming ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Tanks and troops are massing around the 25-mile enclave, and also on Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

It is feared the terror group Hezbollah - which is backed by Iran - could join the conflict and open up a new frontline.

Netanyahu issued a fierce warning to the Lebanon-based group as he spoke to the commandos.

He said starting a war against Israel would bring counter-strikes of "unimaginable" magnitude that would wreak "devastation" upon Lebanon.

In an official transcript of a briefing, he also said: "I cannot tell you right now if Hezbollah will decide to enter the (Gaza) war fully."

He threatened such a move would be the "mistake of [Hezbollah's] life".

Meanwhile, Israeli minister Nir Barkat said Iran's leadership would be "wiped off the face of the earth" should the Lebanon-based proxy terrorists invade Israel.

Barkat, Israel's Minister of Economy, believes the terror group is opening up a "northern front" in the war amid fresh fighting on the Lebanese border.

Speaking to , he blasted: "We will not just retaliate to those fronts, but we will go to the head of the snake, which is Iran.

It comes as

• Israel vowed to unleash a new wave of airstrikes ahead of its ground invasion of Gaza
• Fears are growing the crisis could spark a major war involving Iran and the United States
• Hamas is still holding hundreds of hostages kidnapped in their October 7 massacre
• At least 7 Brits are feared to be among the captives
• Protests continue worldwide as tensions flare between supporters of Israel and Palestine
• Israel formed a new strike force to track down and kill the butchers who slaughtered families & children

"Israel has a very clear message to our enemies. Look what's happening in Gaza – you are going to get the same treatment if you attack us."

Iran's bile-mongering Ayatollah's were warned they face sleepless nights and will "pay a heavy price".

And Lebanon will face "similar to what Hamas is going to pay" if they allow their territory to be used as a launch pad, Mr Barkat added.

The latest warning comes as Israel promised to annihilate Hamas in Gaza with ramped-up airstrikes on Saturday.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said bombing raids will be crucial in "minimising danger" to create the "best conditions" for invasion.

It comes as the IDF approved "plans for the expansion of the fighting" as it pivots to destroy terror-crazed Hamas.

And they have promised to launch the long-awaited ground invasion "soon", The Times of Israel reports.

Israel exchanged fire with Hezbollah fighters in the north of the country on Saturday, prompting fresh fears of a northern front being blowing open.

And tensions continue to rise as Israel arrested more than 600 "wanted Palestinians" across the West Bank - and a reported 450 affiliated with Hamas.

Despite the fury, aid trucks rolled into the embattled enclave from its southern border with Egypt on Saturday morning to begin relief efforts.

It is thought 700,000 people have evacuated Gaza in the 15-days since the war broke out.

Israel currently has hundreds of thousands of troops and columns of tanks ready to invade Gaza.

World leaders, including Rishi Sunak, have warned the situation risks becoming a humanitarian disaster and have urged Israel to show restraint as the crisis worsens.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the move could not be a "one-off" event and will continue to push for further humanitarian aid in besieged Gaza.