As the Israeli army’s military operations expand southward, things are getting difficult for Israel, government spokesman Eilon Levi said Tuesday morning.

“We are moving forward with the second stage now. A second stage that will be difficult militarily” he told reporters.

Israel expects tough fighting in the new phase of the war in Gaza, but is open to “constructive” discussion on reducing civilian harm as long as the advice is in line with the goal of destroying Hamas, Levy added.

Chahal forces have begun military operations in the southern sector of the Gaza Strip, where about one million refugees from the northern sector of the Palestinian enclave have taken refuge. Israel is under persistent international pressure, including from Washington, to limit civilian casualties.

“Any constructive input we get, any serious strategic advice to hurt Hamas while minimizing harm to civilians, we will of course consider it.”the spokesman said, adding that the advice must be consistent with the goal of dismantling Hamas.

“We will continue with the campaign to destroy Hamas, a campaign that the United States faces just as we do in terms of the strategic goals of this war, which is that this war cannot end and Hamas remain standing.”

Eilon Levi stated that Israel is making many efforts to limit harm to civilians. “We didn’t choose the battlefield, Hamas chose the battlefield.” he said.

Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman called on Palestinian civilians in the southern Gaza Strip’s Khan Yunis area to follow military instructions aimed at keeping them out of harm’s way as clashes escalate.

“What citizens need to do to stay safe is listen to the instructions coming from our Twitter accounts, from our website and also look at the flyers that are dropped in their areas,” Richard Hecht told reporters.