Cabinets.

ground incursion was made unanimously, both by the war cabinet and the security cabinet.

“Our commanders and soldiers fighting in enemy territory know that the nation and the national leadership stand behind them,” he adds.

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Netanyahu says the troops that he has met in the field are determined to make Hamas pay for its actions on October 7.

“They are determined to eradicate this evil from the world, for our existence and, I add, for all of humanity,” he says.

The premier quotes the biblical injunction to remember what the Amalekites did to the Israelites. “We remember, and we are fighting.”

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Netanyahu says the soldiers are part of a legacy of Jewish warriors that goes back 3,000 years. He stresses that they have one goal: “To defeat the murderous enemy, and to ensure our existence in our land.”

8:48 pm

Rocket fired from Gaza lands on Ramat Gan home; no injuries

By EMANUEL FABIAN

A handout photo shows a home in Ramat Gan that was struck by a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip, October 28, 2023. (Israel Fire and Rescue Services)

A handout photo shows a home in Ramat Gan that was struck by a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip, October 28, 2023. (Israel Fire and Rescue Services)

A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip landed on a home in Ramat Gan earlier this evening.

Medics say there are no injuries.

8:41 pm

IDF says rockets fired at northern border town hit open areas, strikes Hezbollah in response

By EMANUEL FABIAN

The Israel Defense Forces says three rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Shtula earlier, setting off sirens in the northern community.

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All three projectiles landed in open areas, causing no damage.

The IDF says it is responding with strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

8:37 pm

WATCH: Netanyahu, Gantz, Gallant holding press conference

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz are holding a press conference in Tel Aviv.

Military and diplomatic correspondents, but not political reporters, have been invited to attend.

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8:15 pm

After meeting PM, families of captives call for exchanging Palestinian prisoners for hostages

Representatives for families of captives held by Hamas in Gaza call to free all Palestinian prisoners in Israel in exchange for the release of their loved ones, after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Bring back everyone now,” Meirav Leshem-Gonen, whose 23-year-old daughter Romi was kidnapped on October 7, says during a press event in Tel Aviv.

Leshem-Gonen says they implored Netanyahu not to launch military operations that could endanger their loved ones, while asserting there would be broad national support for an exchange deal of “everyone for everyone.”

Representatives of families whose loved ones are held hostage in Gaza speak in Tel Aviv after a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, October 28, 2023. (Channel 12 screenshot, used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

“We were very loud and clear in our statements about the situation,” says Malki Shemtov, the father of hostage Omer Shemtov. “We were speaking about what we feel and the military operation that’s underway. We are very worried about our loved ones who are there and we don’t know if the military operation will take those hostages under consideration, [to make sure] that no one will be injured.”

Shemtov says the families stressed they are all unified in their position that they feel there should be no limits on what the government will do to get all captives back home safely.

“The prime minister was listening to us,” says Shemtov, “and he said he will do everything he can.”

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As Shemtov finishes mentioning the prime minister by name, the crowd erupts into jeers and shouts.

At least 20 demonstrations to show support for the families are being held around the country this evening.

8:03 pm

Netanyahu tells families of captives Israel will ‘exhaust every possibility’ for their return

In this handout photo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with representatives of families whose loved ones are being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, October 28, 2023. (GPO)

After meeting with representatives of families whose loved ones are being held captive in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges Israel “will exercise exhaust every possibility” to bring about their return.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with representatives of families whose loved ones are being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, October 28, 2023. (Channel 12 screenshot, used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Netanyahu stressed to the families that freeing the hostages is a chief goal of the war.

“The key is the level of pressure,” the premier says. “The greater the pressure, the greater the chances [of freeing the captives].”

Channel 12 reports that Netanyahu also told them that there was no avoiding a major ground incursion, including to ratchet up pressure on Hamas.

7:58 pm

Liberman: US won’t let this war go on for months; I warned PM in 2016 that Hamas would attack

By TOI STAFF

Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor