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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Israel's military says it has nothing against civilians in Gaza

Israel's military says it has nothing against civilians in Gaza

Published Oct 17, 2023 08:30 am

Israel's military on Tuesday, Oct. 17, said that it has no plans to attack civilians in Gaza as locals and foreigners alike are already arriving in droves in the southern part of the Palestinian territory, following possible ground invasion in the northern part by Israeli troops.

Speaking before the Philippine media in an online press conference, Major Libby Weiss, spokesperson of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), said Israel has "nothing against the civilian population within the Gaza Strip."

"The fact that we instructed people to move there speaks to the fact that we have no interest in targeting civilians... And the fact that we told them to move is, I think, a strong indicator of the fact that we don't we don't want to hurt them," Weiss said.

Her assurance came as Gaza residents are now seeking refuge in the south, where foreigners are also headed to wait for the opening of the Gazan border with Egypt so that they can leave the besieged territory.

The death toll in Gaza in Israel-Hamas war is approaching 3,000.

On Saturday, Israel instructed civilians to leave the northern part of Gaza, as well as Gaza City proper, before an expected ground offensive against Hamas in retaliation for its attack.

Asked what should be expected from Israel in the coming days, Weiss did not say anything in particular.

But she said that Israel's military was "prepared" for any order to be given by its leaders.

Weiss said Hamas, which currently governs Gaza Strip, is also responsible for the safety of its people as Israel showed no sign of backing out from its fight against the militant group.

"Protecting the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is Hamas' responsibility. They are the government there. That is what they need to do," she said.

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