Jakub Finkelstein, Israel’s ambassador to Poland, rejects claims that Israel commits genocide in Gaza, arguing that the conflict’s intensity is driven by the challenge of distinguishing militants from civilians. He stresses Israel’s commitment to avoid civilian harm and cites media misinformation.
Israeli Ambassador Denies Genocide in Gaza, Says “Hard to Separate Terrorists from Civilians”
The ambassador of Israel to Poland has publicly dismissed allegations that the country is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and highlighted the difficulty of separating militants from civilians as a key obstacle to ending the conflict.
Denial of Genocide Accusations
Jakub Finkelstein stated that, unlike countries that have suffered the Holocaust, Israel is sensitive to accusations of mass extermination. He claimed that such allegations arise from media reports flooded with misinformation, false data, and images supplied by Hamas.
Responsibility for Deaths and Hunger
Finkelstein rejected the claim that Israeli politicians are responsible for deaths and starvation, insisting that these outcomes are a direct result of Hamas attacks. He pointed out that Hamas uses civilians as human shields, blocks humanitarian aid, and sabotage convoys, creating a dire situation in Gaza.
Thickening of the Conflict
The ambassador explained that the war is protracted because “it is very difficult to separate terrorists from civilians.” He described how Hamas weaponises hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure, making conventional military operations hazardous to Israeli soldiers and potential hostages.
Reports on Civilian Casualties
According to an Israeli intelligence database cited by the British newspaper The Guardian, five out of six Palestinians killed in Gaza were civilians. The agency, while not contesting the existence of the database, disputed the public casualty figures and suggested that the lower estimates may be understated.
Implications for Military Strategy
Finkelstein noted that Israeli forces must exercise surgical precision to avoid civilian harm, especially with around 50 hostages still in captivity. The ambassador emphasized the need for careful targeting amid the presence of civilian structures that may be used by militants.
He concluded that the coalition of misinformation and Hamas’s tactics creates a complex battlefield that prolongs the conflict and escalates casualties among both militants and civilians.
Source: Gazeta,
