Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz accuse Haaretz of publishing “blood libel” following a report in the newspaper revealing that troops are receiving orders from commanders to open fire on aid-seeking civilians.
“These are vicious lies designed to discredit the IDF — the most moral army in the world,” they say in a joint statement.
Despite their outrage, the IDF has confirmed launching a high-level probe into the matter.
“The IDF operates under difficult conditions against a terrorist enemy that operates from within the civilian population… and operates an entire industry of lies to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel,” they say.
“IDF soldiers receive clear orders to avoid harming innocent civilians, and they act accordingly.”
“Israel calls on all free democratic countries to stand by it in its just and moral struggle against the murderous terrorist organization Hamas,” they add.
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