all-encompassingly

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, answers questions from the German newspaper Der Spiegel.

SPIEGEL: How do you react to the massive international criticism of the many innocent victims?

Tzipi Livni: I very much regret the civilian victims. But there is a very significant difference between us and our enemies: we are defending ourselves against anyone who attacks us and use every means possible to prevent hitting civilians. The Hezbollah, however, intentionally aims its weapons at the houses of uninvolved citizens, at women and children. Israel only attacks areas where, according to our knowledge, there are terrorists. The problem is that the Hezbollah hides some of its weapons in apartment houses.

SPIEGEL: Does that justify the growing number of civilians that have been killed?

Tzipi Livni: As the government of the state of Israel we are faced with a dilemma: do we expose our citizens to this threat or do we attack? Incidentally, we are doing something that no other country would do — we warn the people using Lebanese television, radio and flyers that we spread over the affected areas. We ask the people to leave their homes and get themselves to safety.

The whole thing is here.