The Truth Revealed: Israeli Prime Minister Addresses Starvation Allegations in Gaza
In a recent interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Netanyahu refutes accusations of starving civilians in Gaza, labeling the claims as deceptive. He emphasizes Israel's efforts to provide essential supplies, including food and medical aid, to the blockaded Palestinian enclave facing the threat of famine according to aid organizations.
****Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted accusations of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza as a tactic of war. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he dismissed the arrest warrant application currently being reviewed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as being based on false information, calling it a "pack of lies."
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan recently announced that he has sought arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders and two Israeli politicians, including Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The allegations against them include war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the October 7 attacks in Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Khan accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing serious offenses such as causing extermination, using starvation as a method of war, and denying humanitarian aid. Netanyahu, in response to Tapper, criticized Khan as a "rogue prosecutor" who has fabricated charges and dangerous false accusations. He claimed that Israel has been providing food and medical assistance to Gaza, despite reports from aid organizations warning of a potential famine in the blockaded Palestinian territory. Netanyahu mentioned that only 20,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza, a significantly lower number compared to normal circumstances.
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Israel's ongoing siege of Gaza, which started after Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, has now been going on for seven months. More than 34,000 people have lost their lives due to this conflict. Questions have been raised about Israel's military strategy, especially after they sent troops back into northern Gaza, an area previously cleared of Hamas.
Last week, Israel's defense chief Gallant urged Netanyahu to publicly announce that Israel will not govern Gaza and to outline plans for civilian rule after the war. He made it clear that he is against Israeli control in the Palestinian enclave.
Netanyahu was asked by Tapper if he would rule out the Israeli occupation of Gaza. The Israeli politician responded by stating that "resettling" the Palestinian territory was not an option.
When asked about the possibility of resettling Gaza, Netanyahu clarified that it was never a consideration. He acknowledged that some of his constituents were not pleased with his stance, but reiterated that it was his position.
The prime minister restated his dedication to eliminating Hamas, the governing body of Gaza, before discussing demilitarizing the area, during the interview.
There is mounting pressure for a resolution that would involve the release of over 100 hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire. However, Netanyahu pointed out that public opinion polls indicate most Israelis prioritize freeing hostages over military measures, emphasizing that both aspects are interconnected.
Taking military action against Hamas is necessary in order to secure the release of hostages. Without applying military pressure and squeezing them, Hamas is unlikely to cooperate and give up anything, as mentioned by Netanyahu during his conversation with Tapper.
Netanyahu's leadership is met with disapproval in Israel, where he is currently involved in a corruption trial. Critics argue that the Prime Minister is influenced by members of his far-right coalition and may be prolonging the conflict to hold onto power.
Netanyahu denied claims that he avoids Israeli media in favor of international press during his conversation with Tapper. He mentioned that he has conducted around 20 press conferences with Israeli journalists, emphasizing that he values the opportunity to address both local and global media outlets. Netanyahu expressed his willingness to share the truth and address misinformation in all forms of media.
Full interview: Tapper speaks with ****Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu following ICC's request for an arrest warrant.
‘No equivalence’
The ICC’s application for warrants over the war in Gaza marked the first time the international court has targeted the top leader of a close ally of the United States.
Israel and the US are not part of the ICC, but the court claims jurisdiction over Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank since Palestinian leaders accepted the court's principles in 2015.
A group of ICC judges will review Khan's request for arrest warrants. If issued, the warrants would require over 100 member countries to arrest Netanyahu if he visited their territories.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet.
****Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet.
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****Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces new danger as political tensions escalate, putting his leadership at risk. France and international rights groups, including Amnesty International, back the ICC decision and see the arrest warrant request as a positive move towards justice.
Israel’s allies, including US President Joe Biden, strongly criticized Khan's decision, with Biden calling it "outrageous". He emphasized that there is no comparison between Israel and Hamas. In response, some US lawmakers have threatened sanctions against the ICC, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has mentioned the possibility of taking legislative action against the court.
The Biden administration acknowledged earlier this month that there is a possibility that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that do not align with international humanitarian law. However, they have not officially accused Israel of violating the law.
Netanyahu compared himself to President Franklin Roosevelt when speaking to Tapper. He argued that the arrest warrants were similar to putting Nazi leader Adolf Hitler on trial alongside the American president who led the US during World War II.
Khan shared with CNN's Christiane Amanpour that he faced international pressure for his investigation of Israel. One senior leader even went as far as to tell him, "This court is built for Africa and for thugs like Putin."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
