11 July 2014
Strikes on Houses in Gaza Used For Military Purposes
Throughout the initial stages of Operation "Protective Edge" – initiated in order to restore security to Israel's
civilian population under constant rocket and mortar fire from the Gaza Strip – the IDF struck a number of houses
throughout the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas operatives used for military purposes.
Hamas conducts its military activities deep within residential areas in the Gaza Strip. By doing so, Hamas exploits the
IDF's desire and efforts to avoid harm to the Palestinian civilian population. In many cases, Hamas uses its commanders'
own homes, where their families and other civilians may be residing, for military purposes. These houses may be used for
activities such as weapons storage, command and control centers and communications. The cynical use of such homes can be
seen in the following video, where a secondary explosion can be identified as the result of the detonation of weapons
stored under the building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5KJ3WMxArk=desktop
When such houses are used for military purposes, they may become legitimate military targets under international law.
The IDF only aims its attacks against legitimate military targets as defined under the relevant rules of international
law. In order to accurately determine military targets, the IDF employs advanced methods, including multiple levels of
intelligence, the provision of legal advice and extensive prior training provided to operational commanders.
Even where a house is considered a lawful military target, the IDF takes great efforts to minimize any potential harm to
the surrounding civilian population. It does so by using tools that may be available at the time, such as real time
visual coverage in order to assess the civilian presence at the time of the attack, by carefully choosing weaponry and
ammunition which will help to minimize any harm caused and by providing advance warnings in certain instances. Many of
the IDF's efforts in this regard go over and above its legal obligations and the accepted practice of other militaries
conducting hostilities in urban areas. Unfortunately, many of the IDF's attempts to provide advance warning are
exploited by Hamas, who uses civilians as human shields in order to deter attacks.
Further, where a commander determines that an attack is expected to cause collateral damage which would be excessive in
relation to the military advantage anticipated, the attack will not be carried out.
Nevertheless, regrettably, the IDF cannot guarantee that no civilian harm at all will be caused during its operations.
When terrorist organizations such as Hamas deliberately use civilian homes for terrorist purposes, it is unavoidable
that some civilians will be harmed when the IDF acts against these targets. Unfortunately, Hamas exploits such instances
to claim that the IDF deliberately seeks to harm the civilian population in the Gaza Strip – but fails to acknowledge
that it has intentionally put these citizens in grave danger by masking their terrorist activities behind a civilian
veil.
The IDF will continue to conduct its operations in full accordance with international law – including by only attacking
legitimate military targets, and will continue its efforts to minimize the harm to the civilian population. In contrast,
Hamas deliberately and constantly fires indiscriminately towards Israel's civilian population, and celebrates when
Israel's civilians are harmed. These actions constitute the most heinous war crimes. The IDF will continue to defend its
citizens from such terrorist activity.
Ends.