In a press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to accusations that the Israeli army has committed war crimes.

Netanyahu stated that the goals of Israel's military operations are clear: to eliminate Hamas and bring home Israeli hostages. He said that Israeli soldiers are aware that the people of Israel support them. Netanyahu also stressed the importance of eradicating the "evil" of Hamas and called on the international community to join Israel in this effort.

He called on the international community to put pressure on Hamas to stop using human shields and cease their rocket attacks. The prime minister reiterated that Israel is willing to negotiate for peace but will not tolerate continued violence.

Mr Netanyahu said: "Anyone who dares accuse our troops of committing war crimes are people who are completely hypocritical; liars who don't have an inkling of morality. The IDF is the most moral and ethical military in the world, it is doing everything it can to in order to prevent harming those who are uninvolved."

He added: "Once again I call on those non-combatants to go further south. Now, the cynicism of our enemy knows no bounds."