On the brink

ISRAEL TROOPS READY FOR HAMAS 'REVENGE'

- JERRY LAWTON

ISRAEL last night said it was planning a "three-phase" war on Hamas in revenge for its mass slaughter.

The Israel Defense Forces are amassed on the Gaza border and leaders have set out a plan to deal with its bloodiest conflict in decades.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the IDF expects to start airstrikes and ground attacks before moving on to tackle pockets of resistance from Hamas fighters.