Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Source: Times of Israel
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  • Military conflict between Israel and Gaza hit a grim record over the weekend, with over 40 people killed in one day as Hamas rockets explode and Israeli airstrikes fly
  • The death toll in Gaza has risen to almost 200 people from Israeli, while Israel claims 10 people have died in rocket strikes from Gaza
  • Nevertheless, despite mounting calls from international leaders for the conflict to end, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue its campaign against Hamas with “full force”
  • The Israel Defense Force claims Hamas intentionally places military intelligence and operations in residential building and civilian areas
  • However, calls are rising for Israel to provide evidence of these claims as it levels buildings in Gaza allegedly containing Hamas military intelligence
  • United Nations Security Council Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to what he described as “utterly appalling” violence over the weekend

Military conflict between Israel and Gaza hit a grim record over the weekend, with over 40 people killed in one day as Hamas rockets explode and Israeli airstrikes fly.

Israel’s army claims Palestine has fired more than 3000 rockets into Israel over the past week, while Palestine authorities claim 197 people have died in Israeli airstrikes, including 58 children. Israel claims 10 people have died in rocket strikes from Gaza, including two children.

However, despite pleas from international leaders for both sides to stop the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country plans to continue its campaign against Hamas with “full force”.

“We make Hamas pay a very high price for their intolerable aggression,” the Prime Minister said.

“We continue to act now, too, for as long as necessary to restore calm and quiet to you, Israel’s citizens,” he said.

“It will take time.”

Hamas, which is a Palestinian militant organisation, is considered a terrorist group by Israel and the U.S.

UN: end the “appalling” violence

Over the weekend, the United Nations Security Council met and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to what he described as “utterly appalling” violence.

“Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately,” the Secretary-General said.

“Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop. I appeal to all parties to heed this call,” he said.

Meanwhile, Associated Press editor Sally Buzbee has called for an investigation into the Israeli airstrike that levelled the city building in Gaza that housed the AP’s offices.

IDF: “We dedicate resources to minimise civilian harm”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims it only targets locations of known terrorist leaders but that Hamas “deliberately hides military targets in residential buildings and civilian areas”.

As such, the IDF claims the high death toll in Gaza is due to the intentional locations of Hamas military operations — like the city building which was home to the AP offices.

Israel said it issues advanced warnings ahead of airstrikes to give civilians time to leave the area before it is hit.

“Hamas endangers its own civilians; we aim to minimise harm to all civilians,” the IDF said on Twitter.

While these are the claims of the IDF, Associated Press said the Israeli government has not preceded evidence that Hamas military intelligence was operating out of the city building.

Calls have also been made to investigate Hamas presence in other Gaza areas hit by Israeli airstrikes, though Prime Minister Netanyahu said it plans to share its evidence in due course.

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