President of Israel Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have emphasized that the IDF is doing all that it can to prevent civilian casualties. President Herzog expressed his “utter pain and sorrow for any innocent casualties on the Palestinian side” during the present conflict established by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel is uncertain how many are victims of the IDF or terrorist fire. The fighting started after a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which killed 1,200 in Israel and took many others hostage.
In an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation,” President Herzog claims Israel is upholding international humanitarian law standards by alerting northern Gaza civilians of future offensives to uncover Hamas. He elaborated on the explosions of homes, tunnels, and missiles within Gaza. Herzong stated, “We give them time to move and we’ve opened safe corridors and increased humanitarian aid.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu says the IDF reduced the “number of civilian casualties, encouraging citizens to evacuate the area despite Hamas’ attempts to stop them. He also remarked that Hamas is using the largest medical facility in Gaza, Al Shifa Hospital, as a base for airstrikes and rockets. Hamas refused shipments of necessary fuel from Israel.
There has been much unrest regarding the treatment of Gaza’s people and both world leaders in the United States and France called for peace. A ceasefire in Gaza has been proposed with mixed support. The PLO believes security will be achieved by ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.
President Herzog mentioned that Qatar and Egypt are mediating humanitarian assistance and potential release of hostages. He stated that the primary goal is to weaken Hamas’ power, emphasizing that the safety and security of Israel must come first.