Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s rightwing opposition, urged the government on Tuesday to escalate its assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and “topple” the Islamist group from power.

Mr Netanyahu, who is the frontrunner to win next month’s general election and succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister, said: “At the end of the day, there will be no escape from toppling the Hamas rule . . . If the government decides to adopt this goal, we will also back it.”