Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Defends Gaza Attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike on the Gaza tower that housed the Associated Press and Al Jazeera bureaus, alleging it also hosted a Palestinian "terrorist" intelligence
On May 15, an Israeli airstrike flattened a building in Gaza. The building housed the Gaza office of the ‘Associated Press’ a non-profit news agency and another news company called ‘Al Jazeera’. The attack sent alarm bells ringing across the world with many countries voicing concern about the escalating Israel-Palestine violence. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 16th May 2021, was invited on ‘Face the Nation’ an American News show. During the show he spoke about the ongoing violence between Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Netanyahu said, “We had information that the building had a Hamas intelligence office that plots and organizes the terror attacks against Israeli civilians. So it is a perfectly legitimate target and this is why we conducted the air strike. I can tell you that we took every precaution to make sure that there were no civilian injuries, in fact, no deaths,"
Associated Press executive editor Sally Buzbee said, “We're in a conflict situation. We do not take sides in that conflict. We have heard the Israelis say they have evidence but no evidence has been provided yet. We want an independent investigation into this matter.” Netanyahu gave no time frame for when Israel would be ready to halt its side of the fighting after nearly a week of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket barrages. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pleaded for an immediate end to the deadly Israeli-Palestinian violence. He warned that if the fighting continued people will die in large numbers and it could be very dangerous.
The USA has supported Israel for a long time. After the airstrike on Gaza, US President Joe Biden made a phone call to PM Netanyahu. Biden told Netanyahu that he understands that Israel has a right to defend themselves but he is very worried about the violence as well as for the safety of journalists. Many Indians are unhappy with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Let me tell you why. On Saturday the PM posted a tweet and extended his thanks to various countries for standing with Israel during the Israel Palestine violence. It thanked countries by mentioning flags of countries but the Indian flag was not there. Many are questioning why India has not been thanked even after so many Indians have pledged their support to Israel. Others are asking PM Narendra Modi to clearly say whether he supports Israel or Palestine.
