Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Mohammad refuted claims that Israeli soldiers are only targeting Hamas militants, citing the amount of destruction they left in Gaza.
Israel formally declared war on Oct. 8, setting the stage for a major military operation in Gaza as fighting rages on Israeli soil following a surprise assault by the Islamic militant group on Sunday.
Israel responded with airstrikes and military forces on the ground to fight Hamas in villages, army bases, and border crossings. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military was \”clearing terrorists\” out of Israeli communities and \”restoring control.\”
\”Just saying that we’re not targeting civilians is absolutely untrue,\” Mohammad told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word.
He accused Israeli soldiers of also targeting mosques, markets, schools, and civilian compounds.
\”Hamas is not within the similar civilians,\” the envoy said. \”I’m not defending whatever but we should call this made the spade a spade.\”
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Asked if the Palestinian government condemns Hamas’ attacks, Mohammad did not answer directly – only saying, \”you cannot understand what’s going [on] today without realizing the reality of Israeli daily practices.\”
He also asserted that the source of violence is coming from Israel, accusing it of disrespecting the signed agreements between two parties that should have been implemented years ago.
According to Mohammad, they were supposed to have an independent state of Palestine 25 years ago after signing a deal with the Israeli government.
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\”Our demand is very simple. The realization of our national aspiration of our national rights of establishing an independent state of Palestine with east Jerusalem as its capital and the return of the refugees from the diaspora,\” he said.
Netanyahu earlier said his country is \”embarking on a long and difficult war,\” vowing \”mighty vengeance\” on Hamas and declaring that Israel is stopping the supply of electricity, fuel, and goods to Gaza.
