Israeli Defense Forces Spokesperson Conricus Tells Newsmax: Israel Making Every Effort to Avoid Civilian Casualties

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Jonathan Conricus said the Jewish state was avoiding as many civilian casualties as possible while advancing into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Appearing Tuesday on Newsmax‘s “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” Conricus explained that the IDF was moving through Gaza cautiously as it responds to the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel.

“The general rule of thumb in this very challenging combat environment is based on actions. If somebody has means, as in a weapon, and if their actions are hostile, then we determine them to be hostile and [a] combatant, and we act accordingly,” Conricus stated.

“If not, we are cautious because we do not want to hit and kill civilians,” he continued. “The area is still full of civilians, and we’re trying to get them out, but until we do … then the rules of engagement are still cautious.”

Still, Conricus admitted it was difficult to separate civilians from terrorists, noting that Hamas has fired “rockets and RPGs in plain clothes” and has done “all kinds of military activity” without uniforms.

Conricus also confirmed that around 1,000 Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7 massacre had been either killed or taken prisoner. He was unable to break the number down any further.

His comments arrive in the wake of IDF forces surrounding Gaza City and proceeding to move in on it.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed during a televised news conference this week that the IDF had advanced to the heart of Gaza City and was now “tightening the noose.”

“We are increasing pressure on Hamas every hour, every day. So far, we have killed thousands of terrorists, above ground and below ground,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

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