Netanyahu Tells Nation to Expect “Long Haul”; Fighting Fierce on Tuesday

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on television Monday night and admonished that the fight against Hamas will require “a lengthy campaign” and promised “we will not finish the operation without neutralizing the tunnels…” His words came a day after reports of a difficult and tense telephone conversation with President Obama who has noticeably altered his perspective from the full support for Israel’s right to defend itself to a demand for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” But Israelis across the political spectrum favor continuing the costly military operation in Gaza until the tunnels are neutralized. A Hamas spokesman responded with threats that Israel will “pay the price” for its operation.