Hamas using human shields, fired 2350 rockets: Israel

As part of the operation, Israel forces uncovered over 31 Gaza tunnels intended for the launch of terror attack on Israel. Hamas is repeatedly using these tunnels to carry out attacks on Israeli citizens, it said.

During Operation Protective Edge, UNRWA announced that 20 rockets were discovered hidden in a vacant school in the Gaza Strip. On July 22, UNRWA issued a statement regarding a second case in which a UN school in Gaza was exploited by terrorists to hide rockets.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has said: "Hamas' use of Gaza schools to hide rockets endangers the lives of innocent children." He added, "By doing so, those responsible are turning schools into potential military targets, and endangering the lives of innocent children." The Secretary-General calls on all of those who have any influence over militant groups to send an unmistakable message that this is unacceptable.

Hamas terrorists have turned Wafa Hospital in Gaza into a command center and a rocket-launching site. Israel has repeatedly conveyed warnings to the hospital staff and urged civilians to leave the area in advance.

Israel said it is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties and has made repeated efforts to de-escalate the situation, only to be met with aggression and terror from Hamas.

Recently, in a television interview, Mushir al-Masri, a member of Hamas parliament said that Hamas does not want peace. He said," This is just non sense of the Zionists and their dream to live in peace and calmness. We shall keep disturbing the Zionists until the last of them leaves our land because every truce is temporary, for a certain period of time. We're not talking about long term truce, we're not talking about peace agreement. A truce is preparing for the next battle. Our resistance will keep on developing, producing and filling its arsenals and in production of surprising elements for the next battles, until the Zionists enemy leaves our land."

Mushir al-Masri, a member of Hamas parliament said that Hamas does not want peace

"Hamas routinely violates international law and urge civilians in Gaza to act as human shields. Palestinians are ordered to stand on the roofs of houses used for terror. This tactic endangers human lives for the sake of protecting terrorists. Hamas urges civilians, including children, to stand on the roofs of houses," said Israel.

Hamas has built an extensive network of tunnels that run from the Gaza Strip to Israeli territory. Hamas is also using ambulances to move their terrorists around Gaza. Hamas, perpetuates the killing of its own people in the hope that the international community will place pressure on Israel to grant its demands, while senior Hamas officials enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, leaving the Gaza civilians to suffer.

"Hamas endangers the lives of Palestinians in Gaza by using them as human shields," said Israel.

Despite the constant rocket fire by Hamas, Israel said it continues to provide food and essential supplies for the Gaza civilians. Since the beginning of the Operation Protective Edge, more than 970 trucks carrying fuels, food, medical & general supplies have crossed into Gaza.