JERUSALEM

The Israeli parliament, or Knesset, on Thursday approved an emergency unity government led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Knesset Plenum, the supreme authoritative body, approved by vote of 66-4 inclusion of five National Unity Party lawmakers in the emergency government.

Speaking during a special session of the 120-seat Knesset, Netanyahu vowed to “shatter Hamas into pieces.”

"The unity of the people is a force multiplier, and the emergency government we are establishing today out of national responsibility, conveys a message of immense strength, both externally and internally,” he said.

Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel on Saturday, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the offensive was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Saturday, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.