Netanyahu Highlights Israeli Efforts to Minimize Civilian Harm in Gaza

As the expanded meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden, and top officials commenced on Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu emphasized the focus on Hamas’s war crimes and Israel’s commitment to reducing harm to civilians.

Netanyahu began by pointing out the stark contrast in objectives between Israel and Hamas. “While Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas seeks to maximize civilian casualties,” he said in a pre-meeting statement. He further accused Hamas of disregarding Palestinian lives and pursuing the killing of as many Israelis as possible.

He condemned the double war crime committed by Hamas daily, involving the deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians while using Palestinian civilians as human shields by embedding terrorists within the civilian population.

Netanyahu insisted that Hamas must be held accountable for all civilian casualties. He referenced to Tuesday night’s incident where a Palestinian rocket misfired, landing on a Gaza hospital, generating global outrage. However, he asserted that the anger should be directed at the terrorists responsible.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to keeping civilians out of harm’s way and expressed readiness to collaborate with the United States in this endeavor. He acknowledged the challenging road ahead but remains confident in Israel’s ultimate victory.

The larger meeting will include Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, War Cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot, MK Rabbi Aryeh Deri, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, Military Secretary Avi Gil, and Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog.

On the American side, Biden will be accompanied by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, and chargés d’affaires Stephanie Hallett.