Netanyahu declares a ‘second war of independence’ as fears for Gazans grow

As Israel’s ground operation intensifies, World Health Organization issues an urgent statement saying it is unable to cope with a total blackoutIsrael-Hamas war: live updatesGaza was plunged into darkness, isolation and violence on Saturday night, its communications with the outside world almost entirely cut, as Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his country was entering “the second stage” of what was likely to be a long and difficult against Hamas.In a televised press conference on Saturday evening Netanyahu told Israelis: “We have unanimously approved the widening of the ground invasion … Our objective is singular: to defeat the murderous enemy. We declared ‘never again,’ and we reiterate: ‘never again, now.’ ”