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Amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, Mark Regev, a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized in an MSNBC interview that Israel is making a “maximum effort” to prevent harm to innocent civilians.

He stated, “We don’t want to see innocent civilians caught up in the crossfire between us and Hamas.” Regev, formerly Israel’s ambassador to the UK, also clarified that the Israeli government is not considering a ceasefire, adding, “We will continue the operation against Hamas, we will dismantle its military machine, and we will do so in a way that we will try as best as we can to minimize civilian civilians getting caught up in the crossfire.”

The conflict has led to divisions even within the US, as a resolution supporting a ceasefire in the House, led by Rep. Cori Bush, gained traction among progressive Democrats. Bush said, “War and retaliatory violence doesn’t achieve accountability or justice; it only leads to more death and human suffering.” On the other side, Regev defended the Israeli military’s actions as retaliatory and just, remarking, “The truth is, Israel is trying to save lives while Hamas is willing to sacrifice an untold number of Palestinian civilians.”

Amid growing concerns for the civilian populace, humanitarian aid has finally begun entering Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the conflict at an Arab leaders summit, recognized the long-standing grievances of the Palestinian people and emphasized the need for peace. He added, “But nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorized Israeli civilians.”