Israeli Foreign Minister Denies Targeting Civilians in Gaza Massacre: Claims Compliance with International Law

Israeli Foreign Minister Denies Targeting Civilians in Gaza

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, has defended his country’s actions in Gaza, claiming that they always operate under international law and do not target civilians. This comes as protests continue over the Israeli air strikes that resulted in the deaths of over 5,700 Palestinians, including women and children. Cohen’s remarks were made in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s suggestion of implementing humanitarian pauses to protect civilians.

Israel’s Compliance with International Law

Cohen emphasized that Israel operates in accordance with international law and provides humanitarian aid, such as water, food, and medicine. He stated that Israel’s targets are solely Hamas terrorists and denied any intentional harm to civilians.

Israel’s Assessment of Relations with the United Nations

Cohen mentioned that Israel will need to assess its relations with the United Nations. He expressed frustration with UN representatives in Israel, accusing them of distorting reality and failing to provide an accurate portrayal of the situation.

Accusations against UN Secretary-General

Cohen criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres for not adequately representing important members of the United Nations, such as the European Union, the United States, Germany, and France. These countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization and are actively combating terrorism.

Cancellation of Meeting with Guterres

Cohen announced the cancellation of his meeting with Guterres after the Secretary-General highlighted the Palestinians’ decades-long occupation and the absence of Hamas attacks in the past year. This move further strained relations between Israel and the United Nations.

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

Israel’s sustained bombing campaign in Gaza began after a cross-border attack by Hamas, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 Israelis. In response, Israeli bombings have claimed the lives of nearly 5,800 Palestinians, including over 2,000 children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The situation has been exacerbated by the cutting off of water and electricity supplies, worsening living conditions in the region under a longstanding siege since 2007.