Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ongoing ground operation in the Gaza Strip is "the second stage of the war" against Hamas.

Netanyahu spoke at a news conference on Saturday after Israel announced the expansion of its ground operation in Gaza on Friday. Israel has also been unleashing severe airstrikes, mainly on northern parts of the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu said additional Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on Friday night. He said Israel is "only at the beginning of the battle," which he expects to be "difficult and long."

The prime minister also said it is Israel's "second war of independence," and that its troops are trying to ensure Israel's "existence in its land."

Meanwhile on Saturday, relatives of hostages held by Hamas militants staged a rally with their supporters in Israel's largest commercial city of Tel Aviv.

They demanded an early release of the hostages and the implementation of a ceasefire. They also prayed for the safety of the hostages as the Israeli military intensified airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza.

One demonstrator voiced concern over the fate of her friend who is among the hostages. She called on the Israeli government to do everything in its power to secure the immediate release of all of the captives.

Hamas militants took some 230 people hostage, including non-Israelis, as part of their surprise attack on Israel on October 7. Qatar is mediating negotiations for their release. But the talks are reportedly facing difficulty.

At least 1,400 people have been killed on the Israeli side since the conflict began.

Health officials in Gaza said on Saturday that the death toll in the Palestinian territory had climbed to 7,703, an increase of 377 from the previous day. But it is impossible to verify the figure as phones and other means of communications remain severed.