NEW : `` Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation , '' Netanyahu says . In a statement , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over the deaths and injuries of Gaza civilians in Tuesday 's Israeli military action and said the strikes were carried out in response to Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens . NEW : `` The massacre ... is a war crime , '' says The Israel Defense Forces . 61 Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening . Gaza says mortars and rockets have been fired from Israel into southern Israel .
NEW : `` Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation , '' Netanyahu says . NEW : `` The massacre ... is a war crime , '' says The Israel Defense Forces . 61 Palestinian militants were killed Tuesday evening . Gaza says mortars and rockets have been fired from Israel into southern Israel .