Claims that Gaza City bombing killings are “Hamas’ fault”
Anger and protests around the world, including at the United Nations, following the bombing of Shifa Hospital
On the 11th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rebuttal to the international community’s calls for a ceasefire, saying that he would continue the war “with all my might” until the Hamas forces that dominate the Gaza Strip are annihilated.
Netanyahu stated in a televised speech that day that a cease-fire would only be possible after all 239 hostages held by Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip are released.
He caused a stir by saying that after the end of this war, which has already entered its sixth week, the Gaza Strip will become a demilitarized zone and Israel will manage security. When asked what he meant by security management, Netanyahu responded, “It means that the Israeli military should be able to freely enter and exit the Gaza Strip and detect and kill (Hamas) enemy forces.”
Netanyahu also flatly rejected the idea that the Palestinian Authority, which currently leads Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, would at any point take over management of the Gaza Strip.
Both of these positions run counter to the ‘post-war solution scenario’ promoted by Israel’s close friend, the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already stated that the United States opposes Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and that the United States should one day create a single Palestinian government that integrates Gaza and the West Bank to establish a Palestinian state.
However, Netanyahu said, “The war against Hamas is currently underway with all its might and has only one goal: victory.” “There can be no alternative to victory,” he claims.
However, many hospitals, including Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, were recently destroyed by Israeli bombing and shelling. In particular, six patients, including two premature babies, died when the fuel supply at Shifa Hospital stopped and the generator stopped.
As thousands of war wounded, medical staff, and refugees living here lost their lives in the fighting, world public opinion is turning to anger against Israel.
However, the Israeli military continued bombing, claiming without any evidence that Hamas forces had a command center in the basement of the hospitals.
Medical staff at Shifa Hospital held a press conference refuting Israel’s claims and strongly criticized Israel for indiscriminately bombing hospitals and civilians.
Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of Shifa Hospital, said in a phone interview with the Associated Press that power had been cut off here since the 11th. “All medical equipment stopped working and patients in the intensive care unit began to die.” He also said he would ban people from moving between buildings within the hospital and open fire on anyone moving in or out of the hospital.
In response, the Israeli military acknowledged that there was a battle near the hospital, but announced through spokesman Daniel Hagari that it had never blockaded Shifa Hospital. In a statement on the 12th, he claimed that he was speaking directly to the hospital’s medical staff on a regular basis to help treat the babies.
Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said in an interview with Channel 12 on this day that Israel’s goal is to eradicate Hamas and that occupying hospitals is important, but to do so, a new and creative strategy is needed to avoid harming patients, civilians, and Israeli hostages. I was concerned.
International aid organizations, including International Committee of the Red Cross Secretary-General Robert Mardini, issued a statement opposing the blockade and attack on the Sifa hospital, and UN Deputy Secretary-General for Relief Martin Griffiths also said, “Indiscriminate attacks on medical facilities and patients cannot be justified by any word.” “I can’t do it,” he said, criticizing the Israeli military.
In addition, 14,000 refugees at the destination where the Israeli military had recommended evacuation are also unable to hide their anxiety at the news that tanks advanced 20 meters near a hospital in Gaza City.
However, Netanyahu continues to wage war against criticism from the international community, saying that Hamas, which banned evacuation, is entirely responsible for civilian casualties in Gaza City.
[데이르 알-발라= AP/뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.