I Wouldn't Believe Anything Coming from Gaza, Just Like Information from North Korean Officials - Lerner

The official representative of the Israel Defense Forces, Peter Lerner, stated during a press briefing that he does not believe the Palestinian side's reported numbers of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, although Israeli military personnel do not have their own assessments on the matter.

"All the information that comes from Gaza undergoes very strict censorship. I wouldn’t believe anything that comes from Gaza, just as I wouldn’t believe information from North Korean officials," said the IDF representative, adding, "I think the official casualty numbers or other details are extremely questionable."

Lerner pointed out that the issue is complicated by the fact that militants from Palestinian groups are fighting against the Israel Defense Forces not in military uniform but in civilian clothing.