Israel security officials signal readiness for ground offensive into Gaza

Defence minister Yoav Gallant tells troops they’ll see besieged territory ‘from the inside’ as army amasses around strip

Israel security officials have signalled their readiness to embark on a ground offensive into Gaza that they say will be far more comprehensive and ferocious than any previous conflict with Hamas.

Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, visited troops on the Gaza border on Thursday, telling them: “You see Gaza now from a distance, you will soon see it from inside. The command will come.”