IDF chief: We're ready for ground offensive, awaiting cabinet's orders.

IDF chief: We're ready for ground offensive, awaiting cabinet's orders. (YnetNews).

IDF chief: We're ready for ground offensive, awaiting cabinet's orders 'Nothing is stopping us from moving forward,' Gantz says, adding that Hamas is 'understanding it has made a big mistake. Gaza is sinking to its doom.

"Nothing is stopping us from moving forward," Gantz said during a tour of a Paratroopers training base. "The IDF is not waiting for the last straw to go on a ground offensive, it's waiting on political instruction."

Terrorists "in Gaza are understanding that they've made a big mistake. In four days we've been intelligently using our offensive means while remembering that there are civilians there that Hamas has turned into hostages," Gantz said. "Gaza is slowly sinking to its doom."

The chief of staff noted that "the air offensive is excellent and we have intelligence that works. We have what to attack, and we will intensify the attacks. We've yet to exhaust our offensive capabilities."

Gantz went on to say that "strategically, Gaza needs to choose whether it's heading for a calm or to a security catastrophe."

On the threat from Hamas, Gantz said, "Hamas has been getting stronger over the years. Thousands of rockets were hit (in IDF attacks) and they tried to fire hundreds of rockets and were unsuccessful, while dozens were intercepted."

The IDF chief also stressed that "the Iron Dome cannot provide complete protection" and cautioned that this military campaign must be viewed "in a level-headed, non-hysteric manner."

"We have long days of fighting ahead of us," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri sounded a defiant note, when asked about Yaalon's remarks. "Our backs are to the wall and we have nothing to lose," he said. "We are ready to battle until the end."

Deputy head of the Hamas political bureau and executive organization in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, spoke to Palestinian media Friday saying, "We aren't afraid from the enemy's threats. The blood of the leaders is no more important than the blood of the children and families."

He addressed Israel and said, "Stop your war crimes against our people because your aggression will fail to achieve its objectives.

Our people will be victorious no matter the number of victims or the number of threats... Our people are united and support the resistance in an unprecedented manner."Hmmm.....Time to get rid of hamas once and for all. Read the full story here.