Israel: A new difficult phase awaits us in Gaza

2023-12-05 13:00:21, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israel expects tough fighting in the new phase of its war in Gaza, but is open to "constructive advice" to reduce civilian casualties, as long as the suggestions are consistent with its objective of destroying the Palestinian radical group , Hamas - declared a terrorist organization by the United States of America and the European Union - said a spokesman for the Israeli government on Tuesday.

"We are continuing with the second phase now. A second phase that will be difficult militarily", spokesman Eylon Levy told reporters, reports "Reuters".

Israeli forces have begun operating in the southern Gaza Strip, where the population has swelled to nearly 1 million refugees from northern areas, while Israel has faced intense international pressure, including from Washington, to limit civilian casualties.

"We will, of course, mention the constructive advice we will receive, serious military strategy advice on how to target Hamas while minimizing civilian casualties," Levy said.

But he added that the advice should be in line with Israel's objective of destroying the Palestinian extremist group.

"We will continue our campaign to destroy Hamas... The United States is in complete agreement with us regarding the strategic objectives of this war, and that this war cannot end with a Hamas still active," he said. he.

Levy added that Israel is making great efforts to reduce civilian casualties. "We did not choose the battlefield, Hamas chose it," he said.

Hamas has sparked war with Israel by carrying out deadly attacks in southern Israel on October 7, during which the Palestinian group's fighters killed nearly 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.

Since then, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more than 15,000 Palestinians — almost two-thirds of the victims are women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Over three-quarters of the population of this territory have been displaced from their homes due to Israeli bombings and ground attacks, which created a humanitarian crisis./ REL