Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — It’s too early to discuss negotiations and a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss.
Israel has declared war on Hamas after it carried out an unprecedented attack by land, sea and air on Saturday.
Speaking on CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Wednesday, Fluss said Israel is expected to unleash its military might against Hamas in the coming days.
\”This is the beginning of a war. We declared that we were in a state of war, and soon you will see the retaliation of Israel against Hamas,\” he said.
The ambassador said Israel will only consider negotiations once they have destroyed infrastructures and facilities of Hamas in Gaza.
He added: ‘We cannot allow them to continue threatening, attacking, and killing our people.\”
‘Civilian human shields’
On Monday, Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Mohammad alleged that Israel soldiers were also targeting civilians, not just Hamas forces. He said the amount of destruction and lives lost in Gaza is unprecedented.
But according to Fluss, Hamas is utilizing common places such as mosques, hospitals, schools, and residential areas as their base.
\”Hamas is targeting civilians, the Israeli Defense Forces is targeting only Hamas infrastructure,\” he clarified.
Fluss added that Israel is not waging a war against the Palestinian people.
\”We advise them to keep a distance from Hamas operatives and facilities and you will not be affected,\” he said.
