Benny Gantz
Benny GantzFlash 90

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz on Monday told residents of Gaza to stay away from areas in which Hamas operates, so that they are not harmed by the IDF’s operations.

Speaking to journalists in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv about Operation Protective Edge, Gantz said, “We will reach those areas, and when we do, it will hurt.”

"We are intensifying the operations," Gantz said, "There is a lot of destruction in the area, not only because of our activity but because of what Hamas is doing on its own."

The Chief of Staff referred to reports of an explosion at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, for which Hamas had blamed Israel, and dismissed the terror group’s claims.

“These are rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza into Gaza. We will continue to do everything possible in order not to harm civilians."

Hamas has openly boasted about the "success" of its strategy of using civilians as human shields during Operation Protective Edge, and the IDF has published extensive evidence of the practice.

By contrast, the IDF has dropped leaflets, sent phone messages, and issued general warnings to all civilians within range of upcoming airstrikes to prevent further harm.

Earlier on Monday, Gantz visited soldiers who are operating in Gaza to eliminate Hamas's tunnel threat against Israel, and extended words of encouragement to them: