What to know on the fifth day of the latest Israel-Palestinian war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will “crush and destroy” Hamas in response to the militant group’s bloody weekend attack.
Netanyahu made the pledge during a late-night televised address as Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza on the war’s fifth day.
During his address, Netanyahu said that Hamas beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and shot boys and girls in the head.
The prime minister’s allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details.
In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, Palestinian suffering mounted as the enclave’s only power plant ran out of fuel Wednesday.
Israel’s bombardment demolished neighborhoods and sent thousands scrambling for shelter.
U.S officials said they are working with Israel and Egypt to secure safe passage for civilians trapped in Gaza.
The war, which has claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate: Netanyahu joined with a top political rival Wednesday to create a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge Hamas’ attack.