Sinabi ng chief of staff ng Israel Defense Forces (IDF) na si Herzi Halevi sa panayam sa telebisyon noong Martes, Disyembre 26, na ang digmaan sa pagitan ng kanyang bansa at Hamas ay magpapatuloy pa ng ilang buwan.
“There are no magic solutions, there are no shortcuts in dismantling a terrorist organization, only determined and persistent fighting. We will reach Hamas’ leadership too, whether it takes a week or if it takes months,” ayon kay Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Herzi Halevi.
Ang mga opensiba ng Israeli ay tumindi sa nitong Pasko, lalo na central area na humahati sa Gaza Strip. Sinabihan ng hukbo ng Israel ang mga sibilyan na lisanin na ang lugar, bagaman marami ang nagsabing wala rin silang ligtas na lugar na mapupuntahan.
“We are gravely concerned about the continued bombardment of Middle Gaza by Israeli forces, which has claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives since Christmas Eve,” saad naman ng U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango.
“Israeli forces must take all measures available to protect civilians. Warnings and evacuation orders do not absolve them of the full range of their international humanitarian law obligations.”