During a recent interview, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the tragic events that have unfolded in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the actions of Hamas and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). He condemned Hamas for their abhorrent tactics, including the refusal to return hostages and the deliberate endangerment of innocent Palestinians, particularly women and children.
Netanyahu acknowledged the devastating loss of civilian lives in Gaza but stressed that every effort is made by the IDF to minimize casualties. He highlighted that Hamas uses civilians as shields, preventing them from leaving battle zones and deliberately inflating casualty numbers for propaganda purposes.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the civilian-to-combatant casualty ratio in Gaza is remarkably low compared to other urban warfare scenarios, with approximately one civilian killed for every combatant. He attributed this ratio to the IDF's efforts to protect civilians and facilitate their evacuation from conflict zones.
Netanyahu also criticized the dissemination of false information by UN organizations influenced by Hamas, which he believes contributes to misconceptions about the situation in Gaza. He cited the successful evacuation of nearly one million people during a recent operation in Rafah as evidence of Israel's commitment to humanitarian principles and compliance with the laws of war.
In conclusion, Netanyahu reiterated that while any civilian casualty is a tragedy, the responsibility lies with Hamas for using civilians as pawns in their conflict with Israel. He emphasized the need to hold Hamas accountable for their actions and ensure that justice is served for the victims of their violence.
