The "Times of Israel" reported that Israel informed Egypt that the Israeli army is preparing for a ground campaign against Gaza that will last for several months.

The spokesperson for the Israeli army stated that the army's top priority is to "eliminate senior Hamas officials," and that the army has informed Cairo that Israel is preparing for an operation that will take months.

The Hebrew newspaper clarified that an Egyptian official stated to the "Times of Israel" that Israel has informed Cairo that it is getting ready for a ground campaign that will last for several months in Gaza.

The official said that Israel has so far rejected Egypt's efforts to mediate any kind of ceasefire, indicating that it wants to deal a decisive blow to Hamas before considering the idea of a ceasefire.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday that the Israeli army is heading towards a full-scale assault on the Gaza Strip, as clashes with Hamas fighters continue intermittently in southern Israel for the fourth day.
Gallant stated in a speech to forces along the Gaza border: "I have lifted all restrictions, we have regained control of the area, and we are heading towards a full attack."

He added: "You will have the ability to change the reality here. You have seen the prices [being paid], and you will be able to see the change. Hamas wanted change in Gaza, it will change 180 degrees from what it believed."

Gallant continued: "They will regret this moment, and Gaza will never return to what it was. Whoever comes to behead and kill women and survivors of the Holocaust, we will eliminate them with all our might, without any concessions."

Reports stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday that Israel has no choice but to launch a ground operation against Hamas in Gaza.

The Axios news site reported Netanyahu as saying: "We have to go in. We cannot negotiate now. We need to restore deterrence."

According to the report, which cited three American and Israeli sources, Biden did not attempt to change Netanyahu's mind.

In remarks shortly after Gallant on Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that killing senior Hamas members is a top priority.

Hagari stated in a press conference, after Israeli airstrikes killed two senior Hamas members on Monday night: "We will not stop efforts to eliminate senior officials in Hamas; this is a top priority."
He mentioned that forces are still searching for militants in southern Israel, following the surprise Hamas attack early Saturday.