Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the nation's military is ready for a "significant expansion" of its ground infiltration into Gaza, ABC News reported.
For the last two weeks, Israeli airstrikes have pummeled suspected Hamas rocket launching sites and tunnels in Gaza. The prime minister said ground troops are now needed to march further into Gaza to help eradicate militant sites.
"It is not possible to deal with tunnels only from the air. It needs to be done also from the ground," Netanyahu said in Tel Aviv before a Cabinet meeting, according to the station.
"We chose to begin this operation after the other options were exhausted and with the understanding that without the operation the price we will pay can be very high" the prime minister added.
In the past, Hamas militants in Gaza have used the tunnels to smuggle weapons and other supplies across the border into Israel, CNN reported.
Netanyahu did not specify how the ground offensive would be carried out. Palestinian officials told CNN on Thursday night Israeli tanks made their way to Abu Holeh, which is located in the center of Gaza.
Hamas has responded to the attacks with continuous rocket-fire into Israel. The latest round saw 50 rockets fired Thursday night, with half of them reaching Israel and 20 thwarted by Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile launcher, ABC News reported.
Israel has suffered only one casualty ever since the hostilities began at start of last week. Israeli soldier Eitan Barak, 20, died while battling militants in northern Gaza, Israel Defense Forces told ABC News.
As of Friday the death toll for Palestinians reached 270. Over 2,000 have also been wounded, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Many of the victims are civilians.
Israel Defense Forces advised Gaza Strip residents to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. But a lack of resources have left many with nowhere to go.
"Where are we supposed to go- to the Gaza Sheraton? Or take a hike in the forest?" Al Madhoun, who lives in northern Gaza, told CNN.
