After Operation Pillar of Defense, Human Rights Watch stated that Palestinian groups had endangered civilians by "repeatedly fired rockets from densely populated areas, near homes, businesses, and a hotel" and noted that under international law, parties to a conflict may not to place military targets in or near densely populated areas.
Setelah Operasi Pilar Pertahanan, Human Rights Watch menyatakan bahwa kelompok-kelompok Palestina telah membahayakan warga sipil dengan "berulang kali menembakkan roket dari daerah padat penduduk, dekat rumah, bisnis, dan hotel" dan mencatat bahwa di bawah hukum internasional, pihak dalam konflik mungkin tidak menempatkan sasaran militer di atau dekat daerah padat penduduk.