Benjamin Netanyahu says every Hamas member is a ‘dead man’: Israeli Prime Minister vows to ‘crush and destroy’ militants who he says have beheaded soldiers and raped women

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ‘smash and destroy’ Hamas, warning that every member of the terrorist organization is a ‘dead man’.

The harsh message came after the Israeli prime minister accused Palestinian militants of beheading soldiers and raping women.

The late-night televised speech came as the fifth day of the war drew to a close.

His claims of head cuts have not been independently confirmed, but rescue workers and witnesses have described horrific scenes.

Israel has continued to strike the Gaza Strip, with the enclave’s residents facing ever-increasing insecurity after the territory’s only power plant was shut down earlier today.

The country’s blockade has blocked supplies of fuel, food, water and medicine to the Palestinian territory, leaving Gaza’s 2.3 million residents without electricity, internet or running water.

Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will ‘smash and destroy’ Hamas and that every member of the terrorist organization is a ‘dead man’

Israel has continued to crack down on the Gaza Strip, with the enclave’s residents facing ever-increasing insecurity following the shutdown of the territory’s only power plant. Pictured: Smoke rises from buildings in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday

Israel’s Iron Dome intercepts rockets fired from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night

Palestinian militants fire rockets at Israel from Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday

Israeli bombardment has reportedly displaced 260,000 people from Gaza, according to the United Nations’ Palestinian refugee agency.

Netanyahu’s comments come after Joe Biden called Hamas’ attack on Israel on Saturday “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.”

The US president, however, said he had spoken with Netanyahu and made it clear that Israel must ‘act according to the rules of war’.

The deadly war has already claimed more than 2,300 lives on both sides, with thousands more injured.

The Israeli military has said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have died since Saturday’s surprise attack, while Gaza’s health ministry says 1,100 have been killed and more than 5,300 wounded.

Earlier today, in an unprecedented move, Netanyahu joined forces with leading members of the opposition party, including Benny Gantz, who said “it is time for war”.