Israel prepared to step up Gaza ground sweep significantly: PM

Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is preparing to step up its Gaza offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday after ground troops were sent into the Palestinian enclave. "My instructions ... are to prepare for the possibility of significantly widening the ground operation, and the military is preparing accordingly," he told reporters before convening a meeting of cabinet ministers to discuss the operation. (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Janet Lawrence)