The Associated Press reported that Israeli airstrikes demolished a building in the Gaza strip housing international news agencies, including Al Jazeera. Other strikes have been reported to have taken out the home of a senior Hamas official, and killing at least ten in a refugee camp.
This latest so-called “conflict” allegedly began after Palestinians residents were forcibly removed from their homes in Sheik Jarrah, which under Jewish law, they have no right to refuse.
Amid protests, in which Palestinian and Hamas flags are alleged to have been raised, Palestinian worshipers were attacked by IDF forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Of the building that was destroyed by the Israeli military on Saturday that housed several international media organizations, Israel said that it had been targeted because it contained Hamas forces. But according to Gary Pruitt, who is the President of the Associated Press and the CEO, said in a released statement:
“We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza. They have long known the location of our bureau and knew journalists were there. We received warning that the building would be hit.
“The Israeli government says the building contained Hamas military intelligence assets. We have called on the Israeli government to put forward the evidence. AP’s bureau has been in the building fifteen years. We have had no indication Hamas was in the building, or active in the building,” he said. “This is something we actively check to the best of our ability. We would never knowingly put our journalists at risk.
“This is an incredibly disturbing development. We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life. A dozen AP journalists and freelancers were inside the building, and thankfully we were able to evacuate them in time. The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today.”
Israel’s corrupt Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said, “You know and I know, no country would tolerate this. Israel has responded forcefully to these attacks and we will continue to respond forcefully until the security of our people is reinstated and restored.”
It should be noted that Israel is a secure and sovereign nation under the protection of the United States, a nation that is an occupying force over a population of people that are neither protected nor a sovereign nation to call their own. It should also be noted that Israel has a defense system known as Iron Dome, while the Palestinians have no such defense.
Sources: The Associated Press, The Week, NY Times.
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