JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel will destroy Hamas' tunnel network in the Gaza Strip designed for deadly attacks inside Israel, "with or without a cease-fire," as the military called up another 16,000 reservists to pursue its campaign against Palestinian militants in the densely-populated territory.
Netanyahu's warning came as international efforts to end the 23-day-old conflict seemed to sputter despite concern over the mounting death toll. More than 1,422 Palestinians have been killed so far, including many civilians, according to Gaza health officials.
The high Palestinian death toll surpasses the number of Palestinians killed in Israel's last major invasion of Gaza in January 2009, when, according to Palestinian rights groups, at least 1,410 people died. Israel had said the aim of that operation was to end Palestinian rocket attacks.
At least 59 Israelis have been killed in this month's fighting, most of them soldiers - also a much higher death toll compared to the 2009 campaign.
"We have neutralized dozens of terror tunnels and we are committed to complete this mission, with or without a cease-fire," Netanyahu said. "Therefore, I will not agree to any offer that does not allow the military to complete this important mission for the security of the people of Israel."