The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over Israel’s failure to prevent civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip in an interview broadcast on CBS on Thursday.
The Israeli armed forces would attempt to end the military operation in the Gaza Strip with a minimum of civilian casualties. “We are trying to do this, but unfortunately we cannot,” Netanyahu said.
“Every civilian death is a tragedy. We are trying to do everything in our power to get civilians out of harm’s way, while Hamas is doing everything it can to keep them there,” Netanyahu said.
He pointed out that Israel distributes leaflets, “we call them on their cell phones and say, ‘Get out.’ And many left,” he noted.
International criticism of the actions of the Israeli armed forces is growing in light of the civilian casualties. The Israeli military, in turn, accuses Hamas of launching attacks from residential areas and hospitals and using civilians as human shields.
Netanyahu: “Strong” evidence of hostage at clinic
The Israeli leader also told CBS that there were “strong indications” that hostages were being held by Hamas in the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip.
This was also one of the reasons why Israeli soldiers invaded the Shifa clinic.
Nearly six weeks after Hamas’ Islamist attack on Israel, soldiers recovered the body of a hostage near Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. The dead woman (65 years old) was discovered in an annex of the hospital, brought to Israel and identified, the Israeli military said on Thursday. The woman was kidnapped in the border town of Beeri on October 7, during the Hamas massacre in Israel.
➤ See more information: Israeli Army: Body of hostage recovered from house next to Al-Shifa Hospital
Second body discovered
Another body of a Hamas hostage was recovered near the hospital. He is a 19 year old soldier. They were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7. The body was identified by experts in Israel on Thursday night.
The Israeli army had already reported the death of the 19-year-old soldier on Tuesday.
Israeli soldiers also found weapons, computers and military equipment. It is unclear whether one of the centers discovered was also the command center of the Palestinian Islamic organization, which the army suspects was under the hospital. Hamas denies the existence of such a base beneath the clinic.
Hostage agreement
Negotiations are currently underway between Israel and Hamas over hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip. The release of at least 50 women and children and a three- to five-day ceasefire are being discussed, a person familiar with the negotiations told the German Press Agency.
➤ See more information: Gaza hostage rescue soon? Biden “slightly hopeful”
Israel takes control of western Gaza city
The Israeli army has, according to the Defense Minister Joav Gallant gained control of the western part of Gaza City in the north of the Gaza Strip.
“The next phase has already begun,” Galant said. He left it open what this phase would actually be like. The Israeli army also reported that it had taken “operational control” of the city’s port, which was previously controlled by Hamas. Local sources confirmed the takeover for the dpa.
The Israeli army once again urged civilians in several neighborhoods of Gaza City to flee.
Military: Killed in shooting at checkpoint in the West Bank
Four people were killed in a shootout at a checkpoint in the West Bank, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Israeli soldiers and police shot three suspected terrorists from the Islamist group Hamas at the Hebron checkpoint near Jerusalem, the military said. The attackers were planning an attack on Israeli troops. An Israeli soldier was also killed in the shooting.