Targeted Israeli operation kills key Hamas figures, but enemies and media distort facts, claiming a wildly exaggerated civilian death toll.

In a targeted airstrike Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated 19 Hamas commanders and operatives in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza. The strike, which took place at a command center located within the Al-Tabi’in school complex, was part of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas’ infrastructure.

The IDF confirmed that the operation was based on precise intelligence, aiming to disrupt ongoing terrorist activities planned by Hamas. As usual, the aftermath of the strike saw immediate accusations from Hamas and its allies, claiming that the attack resulted in a much higher civilian death toll. The Gaza-run Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, immediately reported over 100 casualties and hundreds of injuries, a figure widely disseminated by sympathetic media outlets without independent verification.

Israeli officials were quick to refute these claims, emphasizing the accuracy of their strike and the presence of Hamas operatives at the site. The IDF stated that “the numbers released by Hamas do not align with the information held by the IDF, the precise munitions used, and the accuracy of the strike.” They also released names and photos of 19 Hamas militants confirmed killed in the operation, underscoring that the strike targeted a command center embedded within the school complex, not civilians.

Despite this, media outlets, including NBC News, CNN, and UPI, reported the inflated figures from Hamas, often presenting them alongside the official IDF statements without critical scrutiny. This has led to a widespread perception of a high civilian death toll, which Israeli officials have described as part of a “pattern of misinformation” regularly employed by Hamas during conflicts.

the international response has been mixed, with some nations expressing concern over the reported civilian casualties, while others acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist threats.

A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, Sean Savett, stated, “We know Hamas has been using schools as locations to gather and operate out of, but we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimize civilian harm.” The White House expressed “deep concern” over the reports of civilian casualties and emphasized the importance of Israel taking all necessary precautions to avoid harming non-combatants.

Both Egypt and Qatar called for a resumption of cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation of violence. They urged both sides to return to negotiations to avoid additional casualties and to stabilize the region.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of breaking the cycle of violence and called on both Israel and Hamas to engage in dialogue. He reiterated Germany’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself but also stressed the need for measures to protect civilian lives.