Death Toll Rises as War Rages in Gaza
As the war rages on in Gaza, the Israeli Defense Force reported the discovery of a tunnel in the Al-Shifa hospital, suggesting it is part of an extensive network beneath the Gaza Strip. The I.D.F. conducted a raid on the Al-Shifa medical complex, suspecting its use by Hamas as an operations base. Footage shared by the Israeli government shows that the I.D.F. found grenades and assault rifles in the hospital, but these claims remain unverified. The UN is urging Israel to allow access for an investigation into conflicting claims concerning the Al-Shifa Hospital. Israel maintains that Hamas is using the facility for military purposes, a contention refuted by Hamas and medical officials. Meanwhile, more than two hundred persons are being held hostage by Hamas. As the death toll continues to rise in Gaza, some experts warn of a potential genocide. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says that more than twelve thousand civilians have been killed. According to Israel’s Deputy Director General for Latin America Jonathan Peled, figures shared by the Palestinians cannot be trusted.
Jonathan Peled
Jonathan Peled, Deputy Director General for Latin America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
“We are committed to making sure that Hamas does not have any more military capability or any political control over Gaza. Our war is not with the people of Gaza. Our war is with Hamas. Once Hamas ceases to be in control of Gaza, we will have achieved our goal together with the release of 240 hostages, whom, as I said, are being, this is another crime against humanity, another breach of international law, 240 hostages, many of them, not only Israelis, who are being held captive and no one knows where they are and what their condition is.
Hipolito Novelo
“But in your war with Hamas, You, sir, your government, your prime minister continues to kill innocent civilians, newborn babies, grandmothers, fathers, thousands of innocent people. How do you feel that someone will say that you, your prime minister, your government have blood on your hands of innocent civilians?”
Jonathan Peled
“This is totally false. I’m very, it’s very sad that Hamas, a terrorist organization that does not sanctify life, but sanctifies death, spreads lies and fake news and misinformation all around the world. We are definitely conscious of the fact that we are in a war and in war. Unfortunately, there are innocent casualties. Israel has never, and never will attack or try and, and attack.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Israel has bombed residential apartments, public areas. 11,000 person killed. I’m saying, sir, that you’re misinforming me
Jonathan Peled
“Do you have, do you have, I don’t believe you have the correct data. Excuse me. But if you want to believe every word that comes out of the supposed health ministry in Gaza, then unfortunately, you are very, very badly informed. Israel does not target intentionally civilians. Civilians get hit. No doubt. This is a war.”
Hipolito Novelo
“In this case, more than 10,000 civilians intentionally target civilians. Government has killed over 10,000 civilians in Gaza. Are you saying that that is not true?”
Jonathan Peled
“Prove it. Prove it.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Are you saying that that is not true? Are you saying the global media is not true?”
Jonathan Peled
“Absolutely.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Saying the fact and the global media is not the fact that over 11,000 persons have been killed in Gaza as a result of the bombings of the Israeli government? Are you saying that is not true? Are you saying that the pictures we’re seeing in the videos of dead babies, of dead children under rubbles is not true? Are you denying that fact? You are allowed to live in your fantasy but you are not allowed to create your own facts.”
Jonathan Peled
“We are, we are, we, we are pained and we condemn any kind and we are, we regret any kind of civilians being hurt. No doubt there are casualties in Gaza. No doubt there are innocent people that have been killed, but they have not been targeted and they’re being used cynically, cruelly and brutally as human shields. You have to understand that this organization wants to provoke. Thousands of dead people now nobody has counted them. Nobody has seen them. We’re not saying that there are not civilian casualties and we mourn the loss of every life. But we seek peace and coexistence. We do not seek death and destruction.”
