Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to intensify its offensive against Hamas militants and urged Israeli to brace for a "prolonged" war that has so far killed over 1, 000 Palestinians, mostly civilians.

In a televised speech on Monday, Netanyahu said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will carry out deadlier and wider assaults against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to stop the Islamist militants from attacking Israel.

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The stark statement comes the same day after nine Palestinian children were killed in a strike in a Gaza park, while injuring 47 others. Both sides blamed the other for the deaths.

The attack was immediately followed by another assault in a Gaza hospital that wounded several patients still recovering from previous attacks, health officials said.

However, Israel said the attacks were carried out by Hamas militants who misfired rockets and  fell in the Gaza park, IDF said on Twitter. Hamas, on the other hand, denied the accusations and said IDF is responsible for the deaths of civilians.

Netanyahu reiterated his call to disarm the Hamas militants to achieve peace in the Jewish state. He said israeli forces will continue to destroy the Hamas "terror tunnels" that the militants are using to carry out attacks on Israel.

"We need to be ready for a prolonged campaign," Netanyahu said. "We will continue to act aggressively and responsibly until the mission is completed to protect our citizens, soldiers and children."

The situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened after both sides ratcheted up its offensives. The Hamas militants launched several rockets in Israel while the IDF carried out its ground operation with the support of its powerful aerial and naval assaults.

Health officials based in Gaza said at least 1, 085 Palestinians, mostly civilians and children were killed in the battle, while 52 soldiers and two civilians were killed on Israel side. One Thai national was also killed.

Netanhayu's warning against Hamas is a contrast to the request of the international community on both sides to de-escalate the tension to avoid further casualties on civilians.

Hours before the announcement, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting in New York to adopt a statement calling for both sides to implement the stalled ceasefire and return to negotiating table.

Even United States President Barack Obama has made direct appeal to Netanyahu to come up with a solution to de-escalate the tensions that have destroyed the Gaza Strip.

Both Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire starting on Sunday but the attacks continued. Still, no concrete solution is in sight on how to end the border war that resulted in more fatalities in just two weeks of intense fighting. 

TagsIsrael, Hamas, Hamas militants, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu