Member of Israeli Knesset criticises decision to launch ground offensive

Chairwoman of leftist Meretz Party Zahava Gal-On has criticised the Israeli government's decision to launch a ground operation into the Gaza Strip.

Gal-On, a member of Knesset, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bowed to pressures from hawkish Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett to "drag Israel into the bloody Gaza swamp", according to Israel Radio.

The Meretz leader has also called on greater efforts to reach a ceasefire.