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Smoke rises after an Israel forces strike on Gaza City today AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

Israel ready to 'significantly expand' Gaza operation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning that Israel is “extracting a heavy price from Hamas and the terror organisations”.

ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel is ready to “significantly expand” its operation against militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip as it entered its fifth day.

“We are extracting a heavy price from Hamas and the terror organisations,” Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. “The army is prepared to significantly expand the operation.”

Netanyahu said he was holding ongoing talks with world leaders, “and we appreciate their understanding of Israel’s right to self defence.”

“The operation in the Gaza Strip is continuing, and we are preparing to expand it,” he said.

Britain has said that a Gaza invasion would cost Israel international support.

Netanyahu’s remarks came as thousands of Israeli troops backed by armour massed along the border, fuelling fears that the Jewish state is poised to expand its relentless aerial bombing campaign into a ground operation.

Netanyahu praised the “swift and impressive” response of reservists, 16,000 of whom have already been called up for duty in emergency orders.

“The soldiers are ready for any activity that could take place,” he said at the cabinet meeting.

The Israeli army sealed off the main roads around Gaza late on Friday and shortly afterwards, the cabinet authorised the recruitment of up to 75,000 reservists, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts to broker a truce to head off any escalation.

- © AFP, 2012

Read: Israel strikes destroy Hamas government headquarters >

Read: Eamon Gilmore calls for end to Gaza violence >

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    Mute Deano
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 9:52 AM

    Yes,watched it all the way through,really enjoyed this tournament,and some achievement from the young man,never have I seen such a natural darts player as him.

    213
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    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:55 AM

    @Deano: only similarity i can think of his mvg at 17 winning the bdo masters. But littler seems even better than that. He’s relentless on the 19s, always a great trait to have also.

    51
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:56 AM

    @Brian Dunne: *is mvg

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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 11:38 AM

    @Brian Dunne: Is this written in code?

    23
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:25 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: ha! Suppose you’d need to be into darts to get most of that to be fair!

    27
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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 1:16 PM

    @Brian Dunne: Bullseye,Brian

    14
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    Mute Marcus Maher - Triskellion Films
    Favourite Marcus Maher - Triskellion Films
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:00 AM

    Hats off to the 44 year old, he plays like he was 16, no inhibitions, great stuff.

    142
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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:07 AM

    @Marcus Maher – Triskellion Films: all that talk about him is fairly poor tbh. He is only 16. Bad form all those that keep harping on about his appearance.

    183
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    Mute Mick Duvanny
    Favourite Mick Duvanny
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:11 AM

    @Setanta O’Toole: It’s sad really

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:36 AM

    @Setanta O’Toole: what, are you getting offended because a 16 yr old looks older? Your life must be dreadfully upsetting

    61
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    Mute Marcus Maher - Triskellion Films
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:37 AM

    @Setanta O’Toole: It is a bit of craic tbh, and I’m not the 1st person to make this observation, great talent and obvs it’s good for the game but let’s be honest, Darts players ain’t Pro Triathletes are they, pies, booze and fags are the staple and that’s why it’s a good craic.

    45
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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:55 AM

    @Dave Harris: No, i’m saying it’s bad form to slate a young lad constantly over his appearance. Not too controversial a take i think, you look to be more upset over it.

    51
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    Mute another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 11:23 AM

    @Dave Harris: “your life must be dreadfully upsetting”……Good one Dave. It’s a bit sad that adults are coming on a public forum to make fun of a 16 year old boys appearance. I think that if you feel the need to do this your life must be dreadfully upsetting!….. There have been other more derogatory comments that have been deleted

    42
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    Mute another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 1:54 PM

    @SFmeansSheetForFree: yeah it is, especially when your missus knocks over…. Wha!…. Think you missed the point. There something sad about adults posting on a public forum insulting the appearance of a 16 year old boy whether he sees it or not. The majority of people appreciate that he looks older than his age but they don’t have the need to post insulting comments about it…… I wonder if the mirror is kind to those posters. We’re all perfect behind our keyboards aren’t we?!?!

    22
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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:32 AM

    Love the old darts, you have to admire what Barry Hearn has done with the darts,taken it from dingy halls with a few hundred people, to major arenas with thousands of fans. Definitely on my list to go to the Ally Pally.

    60
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:36 AM

    @The Firestarter: to be fair the old bdo championship at lakeside was always a great spectacle. As was the initial pdc tournaments at the circus tavern. Bigger crowds are great but certainly a less knowledgeable crowd than years ago

    38
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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:07 PM

    @The Firestarter: Ah the lakeside was a much better venue

    14
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    Mute Peter
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 9:54 AM

    Darts standard prior to Christmas is usually very poor but it’s exceptional since. Humphries will have too much for Littler but my god, what a future he has, as long as he stays off the kebabs.

    62
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    Mute Deano
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:00 AM

    @Peter: yes possibly,if humphries plays the way he did last night,but will he play the same,littler I expect will put him under a lot more pressure than Williams did,

    44
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    Mute Peter
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:56 PM

    @Deano: neither Williams or Cross made it hard work for both Lukes. Potentially the first time Littler will be under pressure is tonight, but Humphries has had some close games already. All depends how Humphries deals with the crowd, no doubt they want to see Littler win.

    15
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    Mute Paul
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 9:58 AM

    You don’t need Skysports to watch the darts.

    46
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    Mute James Smith
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:38 AM

    @Paul: think you do need it. How you get it is another question!!

    41
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    Mute Ken Mc Carthy
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:13 AM

    SAFE BET in the bookies…..

    ‘ LUKE to win’

    34
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    Mute James Smith
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:37 AM

    @Ken Mc Carthy: think you do need it. How you get it is another question!!!!

    5
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    Mute Colin Howard
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:42 PM

    Littler looks like he is playing in his shed. He’s not letting it all get to him. He looked a wee bit nervous in the first set against Cross last night but he turned it around. He has some future ahead of him!!

    22
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    Mute casio shock
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 11:57 AM

    Defo will. Watching top athletes go head to head is always a joy to behold

    21
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    Mute Rafa C
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:30 AM

    Oh darts – the poor persons golf – no thanks.

    22
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 10:35 AM

    @Rafa C: been a darts fan all my life. Would rather watch any darts match over a golf major any day of the week.

    129
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    Mute Willie Murphy
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 11:37 AM

    @Rafa C:
    Well there’s a comparison that makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever..

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 5:13 PM

    @Rafa C: no score

    2
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    Mute Hector turtlehead
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 2:09 PM

    I can’t, I’m only 3 but look 12

    12
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    Mute Paddybanton
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 4:05 PM

    The darts beats the hell out of Gaelic Football. It has skill and about the same level of physical contact.

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    Mute Chris O'Brien
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:32 PM

    Hmmm…obese drunk white men throwing things at walls… No think.

    15
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 12:38 PM

    @Chris O’Brien: no think?

    62
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    Mute Alan
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 2:36 PM

    @Brian Dunne: him no think. Him not know nothing.

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    Mute casio shock
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 3:01 PM

    @Chris O’Brien: guarantee you’re all of these things eh ;-)

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    Mute Mark Maguire
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    Jan 3rd 2024, 9:40 PM

    @Chris O’Brien: brain no work so good

    4
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