Israeli Military: "Civilian Casualties Inevitable Once Ground Offensive Begins"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Israel, preparing to deploy ground forces in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, has stated that civilian casualties are inevitable.

Peter Lerner, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said in an interview with CNN on the same day, "We will continue to minimize civilian casualties, but due to the nature of urban combat, civilian casualties will occur."

Spokesperson Lerner said, "The role of the Israel Defense Forces is to prevent the Palestinian armed group Hamas from holding governmental power," adding, "There may be collateral damage caused not by airstrikes themselves but by their aftermath. This is why we urge residents to move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip."

The Gaza Strip covers an area of 365 square kilometers and is home to approximately 2.3 million residents. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

After Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, Israel has imposed a full blockade on the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip and continues retaliatory airstrikes. Recently, as the Israeli military has concentrated troops near the Gaza Strip, there are growing expectations that a ground offensive is imminent.

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