Israel Will Bomb Hamas ‘As Long As Necessary’ — Netanyahu Defends Offensive In Gaza
Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has issued a worldwide address explaining why the Hamas military organization in Palestine should be held responsible for war crimes against his country, and not the other way around.
Speaking late Saturday, Netanyahu said it was an international crime for any entity to attack Israel’s civilian population from another territory.
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He said that Hamas fired hundreds of rockets into Israel after Monday’s clash between Palestinians and Israeli security forces at a Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
He vowed to continue bombarding Hamas till they stop their attacks.
“It has been five days since Hamas brazenly fired rockets at Jerusalem and other Israeli cities in a totally unprovoked attack.
“This past week, millions of Israelis were forced into bomb shelters as missiles rained down on our cities. Several Israelis have been killed. Many more have been wounded. You know and I know, no country would tolerate this. Israel will not tolerate this.
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“Israel has responded forcefully to these attacks and we will continue to respond forcefully until the security of our people is reinstated and restored.
“The party that bears the guilt for this confrontation is not us, it’s those attacking us.
“We are still in the midst of this operation, it is still not over and this operation will continue as long as necessary, “he said.
According to Netanyahu, Israel has the right to defend itself.
Furthermore, he debunked the notion in certain quarters that his government was committing war crimes in Palestine.
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He contended that unlike Hamas operatives, records showed that whenever the Israel Defense Force wants to launch an attack, it would notify people living in that area.
Netanyahu added that the reverse was the case with Hamas, who, according to him, fired at Israel’s population with the sole aim of killing civilians.
He also accused Hamas of hiding in residential buildings to perpetuate its attacks.
“We’ve eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists and taken out hundreds of terrorist sites, including missile launchers and buildings.
“I want to remind the world that in firing on our cities, Hamas is committing a double war crime. They’re targeting our civilians and hiding behind Palestinian civilians, effectively using them as human shields.
“As always, Israel is doing everything possible to protect our civilians and keep Palestinian civilians out of harm’s way. We demonstrated this yet again today when we warned civilians to vacate the building used by the Hamas terror intelligence.
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“They vacated the premises before the target was destroyed and that’s why you don’t hear of casualties from these collapsing terror towers because we take special care to avoid these civilian casualties, exactly the opposite of Hamas,” he said.
He added: “Defeating Hamas does not only serve Israel’s interest, it serves the interests of all those who seek peace, stability and security in the Middle East.”
On its part, the Government of Palestine countered Israel’s claim of self defense.
It stated that Israel was using that argument as a tool to continue the annexation of Jerusalem.
It further called on the international community to compel Israel to halt its attacks.
“Once again, we call upon the Security Council to act in respect of its Charter duty to maintain international peace and security. The Palestinian people cannot be left without protection at the mercy of an occupying Power armed to the teeth;
“The distorted narrative of self-defense gives Israel the permission to carry on with its crimes. What Israel is seeking to defend is its illegal occupation, insisting on its control of Palestinian land and Palestinian lives and, if possible, their very erasure;
“There must be a clear demand for an end to all attacks, provocations and incitement and for full respect of international law, including humanitarian law, and a demand for a halt of Israel’s criminal aggression against Gaza and a cessation of all illegal Israeli actions,” it tweeted.
Meanwhile, the United States President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of both countries on Saturday.
For Israel, Biden supported its right to defend itself but warned against hostilities.
To Palestine, Biden promised to provide humanitarian assistance, adding that the U.S. wants both countries to live as neighbours.
