Israeli government spokesperson Tal Heinrich addressed the recent developments in Gaza, emphasizing Israel's commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid to civilians in need. Heinrich highlighted Israel's efforts in delivering over a quarter million tons of aid without restrictions since the conflict began, marking an unprecedented scale of assistance in urban warfare history.
Regarding the tragic incident where over 100 individuals lost their lives during aid delivery, Heinrich stated that the IDF is investigating the matter. She attributed the blame to Hamas, accusing the group of exploiting civilian suffering for their own agenda and hindering aid distribution.
In response to calls for a ceasefire and negotiations, Heinrich expressed Israel's desire to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. She mentioned ongoing military and diplomatic efforts to reach a deal but criticized Hamas for presenting unrealistic terms in previous negotiations.
Heinrich also addressed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's reference to inflated casualty numbers provided by Hamas, cautioning against accepting propaganda from the terrorist organization. She underscored the need to verify information independently due to Hamas' history of spreading misinformation.
In conclusion, Heinrich reiterated Israel's stance on not compromising on key principles in potential ceasefire agreements, such as releasing Palestinian terrorists or withdrawing IDF forces entirely from Gaza. She emphasized Israel's determination to dismantle Hamas and ensure the safety of its citizens.
