Israel Announces Main Priority in Military Operation Against Hamas

Israeli Defense Forces representative, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, stated that the primary focus of the military operation is to rescue hostages who are "most likely" being held in underground areas, according to Israel Today.

Pointing to the "complex network of tunnels" in the Gaza Strip, Conricus told CNN that 150-200 individuals kidnapped by Hamas militants are "probably being kept underground in various locations." He remarked, "It is extremely difficult for modern militaries to fight in such densely populated urban areas."

Conricus also asserted that the Israeli Defense Forces would not target civilian populations. "But again, we must remember... we are preparing to fight against a ruthless enemy that has no problem using everything available... using civilians as human shields and employing civilian infrastructure for military purposes," Conricus said.