Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that Israeli occupation army will continue working to destroy tunnels in Gaza with or without a ceasefire.

Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that Israeli occupation army will continue working to destroy tunnels in Gaza with or without a ceasefire.

"Until now, we have destroyed dozens of terror tunnels and we are determined to finish this mission -- with or without a ceasefire," he said in a live address at the start of a cabinet meeting.

"So I will not accept any (truce) proposal that does not allow the IDF (army) to complete this work for the security of Israel's citizens."

Israel began its military offensive in Gaza on July 7, but expanded the operation by sending in ground troops on July 17.

Since the operation began, Netanyahu has called for the Gaza Strip to be “demilitarized” and he said destroying the tunnels was a “first step” towards that.
"This is only the first stage in the demilitarization of Gaza," he said.