Netanyahu calls on Israel's opposition to form national emergency government

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called on opposition leaders to form a national emergency government.

Palestinian group “Hamas wanted war and it will get it, and what will happen to it will resonate for generations,” Netanyahu said in a speech aired by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

Netanyahu also said he is in constant communication with US President Joe Biden and thanked Washington for its commitment to Israel.

The Israeli premier also called on opposition leaders "to immediately form a national emergency government, as was formed with (late Prime Minister) Menachem Begin during the Six-Day War (June 5, 1967)," also known as the Third Arab-Israeli War.

Netanyahu has already said the country is "at war" and has urged the public to stock up on survival supplies.

Gaza-based resistance group Hamas early Saturday launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 687, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Monday amid ongoing fighting. It also said the number of injured surged to 2,900.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,616 others wounded in the fighting, according to local media.