Amid mounting international criticism of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israeli Member of Parliament Sharren Haskel, representing the National Unity Party, issued a defiant response, emphasising the importance of Israel’s goal to eradicate Hamas. Haskel stated that the leadership of Hamas has consistently expressed intentions to persecute and harm Jews, making the conflict a matter of self-defence for Israel.
“Their leadership have said time and time again that they will always persecute the Jews and try to murder them if they have any kind of opportunity,” said Haskel, justifying Israel’s actions as a means to defend its children and ensure peace within the country.
The comments come in the wake of US President Joe Biden expressing concern over Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza and growing global support for a ceasefire. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is set to visit Israel, where discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet are expected to address the conduct of the conflict.
President Biden’s criticism and calls for more targeted strikes have fueled speculation about a potential shift in Israel’s military strategy. Sullivan, on his diplomatic tour, also held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to restart negotiations for normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
As international pressure mounts for a ceasefire, Prime Minister Netanyahu remains resolute, telling soldiers in Gaza, “We’re continuing until Hamas is annihilated… Nothing will stop us.” The conflict has resulted in casualties, with the Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, reporting at least 19 people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday morning.
However, Israel has begun pumping seawater into Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza. This is part of the military’s plan to destroy the terror group’s vast underground network.
Meanwhile, many of the Israeli hostages are still believed to be held in these tunnels, New York Post, NYP, reports.
The water from the Mediterranean is one of several measures the Israel Defense Forces is using to clear and decimate the miles of intertwined tunnels, the NYP sites the Wall Street Journal, whose source is unnamed US officials.
Earlier this month, there were reports that the tactic was under “consideration” after the IDF had built at least five pumps. They were about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp that could be used to draw the seawater to flush out the tunnels.
The flooding began around the time Israel added two more pumps and the IDF conducted some initial tests
A spokesperson for Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declined to comment, saying the tunnel operations are classified.
The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Post early Wednesday.
Last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi said flooding the tunnels is “a good idea, but I won’t comment on its specifics,” the Times of Israel reported.
In reported recordings between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and released hostages and their families, Israelis angrily told him they feared that the flooding would kill their loved ones, according to the Journal.
