ISTANBUL

Palestinian group Hamas, which undertook an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday, has denied allegations that it killed civilians, including children.

“We categorically affirm the falsehood of the fabricated allegations promoted by some Western media outlets, which unprofessionally adopt the Zionist narrative full of lies and slander against our Palestinian people and their resistance, the latest of which was the claim of killing children, beheading them, and targeting civilians,” the group said in a statement that was also published on its website.

The statement criticized "adopting and siding with the Zionist narrative without verification” and warned of consequences of covering up "the crimes of the occupation and its massacres committed day and night in Gaza.”

It confirmed that “the Al-Qassam Brigades worked to target the Israeli military and security systems” in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, calling them “legitimate targets.”

The group added that its members “sought to avoid civilians, and this was witnessed by many video clips from the field, and many settlers spoke to the media about this with video testimonies."

Hamas called on media outlets to maintain objectivity and professionalism and to “not blatantly and blindly adopt” the Israeli narrative.

Since the beginning of the recent conflict, multiple news outlets reported that Hamas members beheaded Israeli children. An Israeli army spokesperson, however, was unable to confirm the development to Anadolu. He said: "We have seen this news, but we do not have any details or confirmation about it."

Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. The group said its action was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.