Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that he intends to 'clarify public opinion' by emphasizing that 'Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or forcibly relocating civilians.' He stressed, 'We are fighting Hamas terrorists, not Palestinians, and we are conducting this battle in full compliance with international law.' In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu noted that while the Israeli army is making every effort to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas, on the contrary, is trying to maximize those casualties by using Palestinian civilians as human shields. At the same time, Netanyahu explained that the Israeli army is urging Palestinian civilians to leave combat zones by distributing leaflets, sending text messages, and establishing safe passageways, whereas Hamas prevents Palestinians from leaving by force and often by gunfire. In conclusion, the Israeli Prime Minister reiterated the goal of 'liberating Gaza from Hamas terrorists and freeing Israeli hostages,' stating, 'Once this goal is achieved, Gaza can be civilian and free from extremism, resulting in a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians.' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also urged Netanyahu and his war cabinet during a meeting on Tuesday, January 9, to avoid harming Palestinian civilians in the Gaza war and to maintain the path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Benjamin Netanyahu Says 'We Are Fighting Hamas Terrorists, Not Palestinians'
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu clarified that Israel's military operations are aimed at Hamas terrorists, not Palestinians, and emphasized adherence to international law. He outlined efforts to minimize civilian casualties while accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions and calls from U.S. officials to protect Palestinian civilians.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's military operations target Hamas terrorists, not Palestinian civilians, and are conducted in compliance with international law. He highlighted efforts to minimize civilian casualties and accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
- Netanyahu stated that Israel does not intend to permanently occupy Gaza.
- The Israeli army is attempting to minimize civilian casualties while accusing Hamas of preventing civilians from leaving combat zones.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with periodic escalations in violence, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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