Israel's Lapid commemorates dog killed in Nablus raid, but refuses to apologise for Gaza killings

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid expressed sadness over the recent death of a unit dog in an Israeli forces' raid, but refused to apologise for the killing of 47 Palestinians, including 15 children, in recent Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Three Palestinians were killed in a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday morning. A dog belonging to the elite Yamam police unit also died.

The nine-year-old canine, Zili, was buried at a military dog cemetery.

Lapid, who spoke with the Yamam unit's commander, said "Zili was part of the unit, beloved and professional".

"He will be missed by the unit, he will be missed by the dog handlers and the fighters he accompanied repeatedly in operational activity," Lapid added, according to a statement.

'They won't let us live': Israel bombs Gaza's hope for a better future into submission https://t.co/NGWe1mYISn

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Earlier this week, Lapid said the deaths of innocent people in Gaza were "heartbreaking" but stressed Israel "would not apologise for defending its own people with force".

Forty-seven people, including 15 children, were killed in three days of intense airstrikes on the densely-populated besieged Palestinian coastal enclave.

The violence was triggered after Israel killed a commander from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. No Israelis were killed in retaliatory rocket fire.

An Egyptian-mediated truce came into effect on Monday, but Israeli officials have warned of more possible attacks.