The Israeli military released a video of several moments when the air force held fire due to the risk of children being hurt in Gaza.
The IDF routinely publishes footage of airstrikes, but this time, the video shows the troops suddenly cancel.
In one moment, the IDF abruptly cancelled a missile strike just moments before they pulled the trigger after spotting children near the Hamas target.
The video contradicts claims of genocide in Gaza, amid a skyrocketing death toll in the Palestinian territory.
Social media account Visegrad24 posted the video, with the caption: “Israeli soldiers preparing to strike Hamas positions but stop once they see that a group of kids are nearby. Hamas would never do the same.”
The video looks at several cancelled air strikes across October, November, and December last year, as the conflict enters its 100th day.
In a video from October 20, Israeli Air Force fighters can be heard discussing the Hamas target.
The IDF soldier says: “Children next to the building – confirming.
“More people on the road also, relatively bustling movement. We are leaving this target. It is not approved.
“There are four or five people north of the building. This target is cancelled due to reports of civilians.”
Another video on October 22 sees an IDF pilot pinpoint a target before shouting: “Five children, staying put near the building. Hold fire, hold fire.”
On December 2, a missile target hovers over a football field, with one IDF fighter heard saying: “Five people, might be children on the football field here. Approve us to hold fire. There are kids. You see? Don’t strike, hold fire.
“Please notice the reason is civilians around target.”
Two days later, on December 4, a pilot says: “Kids are running into the target range.
“A group of children playing soccer ten metres away from the target. We will not strike. “
The IDF claims it takes extensive measures to minimise civilian deaths, pointing to its so-called ‘roof knocking’ technique that alerts inhabitants of an incoming attack ahead of time, giving them the chance to flee.
Israel also says it provides ample warnings by making phone calls and sending text messages to civilians residing in buildings designated for attack.
Despite this, a total of 23,968 Palestinians have been killed and a further 60,582 injured by Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, the Gaza health ministry said on Sunday.
In the past 24 hours, 125 Palestinians were killed and 265 were injured, the ministry added.
The head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees said that the clock is “ticking fast towards famine” in Gaza.
