Netanyahu hints at ‘severe military action’ if truce fails

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 20. Photo by Lior Mizrahi/Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Wednesday that if an Egyptian-brokered truce with Islamist militants in Gaza did not work Israel would consider "more severe military action" against the Palestinian territory.

"I know there are citizens expecting a more severe military action, and perhaps we shall need to do so," Netanyahu told a news conference as the ceasefire ending a weeklong Gaza offensive came into effect.

Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; editing by Crispian Balmer