Hamas used a rare pre-recorded English language press conference to claim it had given “clear instructions” to its fighters not to target civilians as it sought to counter waves of international condemnation.

Basim Naim, the terrorist group’s head of international relations, insisted its gunmen were “keen to avoid harming civilians” - in an apparent desperate and easily-disproved attempt at media management.

Speaking into four microphones, Naim said on Thursday night that Hamas terrorists had “targeted only Israeli military bases and compounds that were suffocating the people of Gaza for more than 17 years.” 

He was accompanied by spokesman Ghazi Hamad. The pair appeared in front of a green screen, with scenes of urban warfare projected onto the backdrop.

Other Hamas officials have claimed the 260 party-goers massacred at the Supernova festival on Saturday may have been mistaken for “resting” soldiers.