In the video below, IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner explains the difficulties Israel faces in its struggle against the Hamas terror organization.
While the IDF obligates itself to abide by international law and makes a huge effort to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas intentionally puts the population in harm's way while attacking Israeli civilians.
“This is not a battle between one army versus another army, but rather a state that abides by international standards, laws and regulations and a brutal terrorist organization,” said Lerner.
During the current escalation, Hamas has openly boasted about the "success" of its strategy of using civilians as human shields, and the IDF has published extensive evidence of the practice.
The IDF has also shown how it cancels Gaza airstrikes upon realizing that there are innocent civilians in the area.