Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel has entered 'new phase' of the war

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Saturday that Israel has "moved to a new phase" in the war to eradicate the terrorist group Hamas. 

Gallant released a statement from his office Saturday after Israel expanded its ground operations in the Gaza Strip overnight, attacking some 150 underground terrorist targets, according to the military. 

"The earth in Gaza shook," Gallant said. "We attacked above ground and below ground, we attacked terror operatives of all ranks, in all places. The commands to the forces are clear: The operation will continue until a new order.”

“Regarding other areas, we are preparing to defend Israeli citizens, to safeguard their security. We are doing this in the north, the center and everywhere," he added.

Gallant made these remarks after meeting with top Israeli security officials, including the heads of the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad, the Times of Israel reported.

The defense minister's office said he laid out "the direction of action concerning the main efforts" in the war, including "the military effort, the effort to free the captives, the civil effort and the humanitarian effort," per the report.