When terrorist organizations such as Hamas deliberately use civilian homes for terrorist purposes, it is unavoidable that some civilians will be harmed when the IDF acts against these targets. Hamas exploits such instances to claim that the IDF deliberately seeks to harm the civilian population in Gaza, but fails to acknowledge that it has intentionally put these Palestinian Arab civilians in grave danger by masking its terrorist activities behind a civilian facade.
The IDF will continue to conduct its operations in full accordance with international law, including by attacking only legitimate military targets, and will continue its efforts to minimize harm to Gaza civilians.
In contrast, Hamas fires indiscriminately toward Israel’s civilian population, and celebrates when Israel’s civilians are harmed. These actions are war crimes. The IDF will continue to defend its citizens from such terrorist activity.
With information supplied by the IDF Spokesperson’s Office.