Israeli PM Netanyahu vows to decimate every Hamas member

After the first meeting of his country's emergency government, Netanyahu said every Hamas member was "a dead man", reported BBC.

Benny Gantz, a significant member of the country’s opposition said it was "a time for war".

US President Joe Biden, who earlier said that ‘Israel has the right to defend itself, said he had conveyed to Netanyahu that Israel must "operate by the rules of war".

The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200. More than 1,100 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

While Biden acknowledged Israel’s anger and frustration, he urged Israel to adhere to the principles of the Geneva Conventions. He also warned Iran - which has welcomed the Hamas attack - to "be careful".

Earlier on Wednesday Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to set aside bitter political rivalry that had spiralled into widespread agitation.

In his address to Israeli citizens, Gantz said that the newly-formed government was "united" and ready to "wipe this thing called Hamas off the face of the Earth".

In addition to Netanyahu and Gantz, the interim government will also include the leader of the centrist National Unity Party, a former defence minister, along with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

While the primary opposition leader, Yair Lapid, has not yet joined the coalition, Netanyahu and Gantz have indicated in a joint statement that a position will be kept open for him in the war cabinet.

"During the war period, no bills or government decisions will be promoted that do not concern the conduct of the war," said a statement, reported BBC.

"All senior appointments will be automatically extended during the war period."

The emergency government aims to provide a wider national agreement on military operations.

It also brings two members with expertise in military strategy into the war cabinet.

Both Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, who joins as an observer, are former Israeli military chiefs of staff.