Jerusalem, April 17 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited northern Gaza, vowing to intensify military operations against Hamas until "all war objectives are achieved". Accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and military chief Eyal Zamir, Netanyahu received a security briefing from commanders at the site, according to a statement from his office.

The visit this week came as Gaza-based health authorities reported that the death toll from the 18-month Israeli offensive had surpassed 51,000, IANS reported, citing Xinhua news agency. Netanyahu praised Israeli troops for what he called "a remarkable job" in the Gaza Strip and said Hamas would continue to "absorb more and more blows."

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has bee...