Jihadists blame Israel for recent violence as Gaza takes first steps back to normal | World News
The people of Gaza are taking the first steps towards normalcy after three days of violence in the territory.
The latest episode started last Friday when Israel released what they described as preemptive strike against the Islamic Jihad Movementthe second largest militant group in the Gaza Strip.
Two of its commanders were killed within an organization that was considered critically important – but poorly understood – and we spent several days trying to get in touch with the leaders of that organization.
We finally got a call and were directed to an unremarkable spot by the sea.
Why fight a disproportionately stronger opponent, we wonder? When will the violence stop? These and many more questions come to mind.
We met Khalid al Batsh, the movement’s international relations officer.
I asked who was responsible for the fight just now.
He said: “The occupiers of Israel must be held accountable. You can see that, by assassinating and killing our Palestinian people. Their aggression is the cause of the escalation (violence). ).”
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Sky News has provided evidence of the human cost of Israeli air strikes on Gaza that have killed more than 40 people.
‘Israel is a powerful nation’
The Israelis have described their military operation, ‘Breaking Dawn’, as an outstanding success, and claimed to have destroyed the group’s senior leadership.
But al Batsh said it was not a fair fight.
“We have never pretended that we are stronger than Israel. We say that Israel is a very powerful nation, a nuclear state, and we are resisting as people who have no power,” he said. We are fighting the occupation with the tools we have.”
Islamic Jihad is not without weapons. They have launched more than 1,000 rockets at neighboring countries. But Israel says many of its weapons malfunction, explode and cause significant casualties in Gaza.
Mr. al Batch gave this angry response: “These are incorrect statements, lies, they shed the blood of innocent people and accuse others. Who killed the people? It was Israel.”
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How does Iron Dome work?
‘Israel will not give him a Palestinian state’
I asked the movement’s spokesman if the organization was thinking about a different, more consensual approach.
Mr. al Batsh brushed it off, mocking the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, for wasting time negotiating with Israel.
Mr. Abbas heads the rival Fatah party that controls the occupied West Bank.
“There must be a better way, you can negotiate, build bridges, you can realize the existence of Israel?” I suggest.
“There is no one in the world who loves and supports peace like Mr. Abbas but Israel will not give him a Palestinian state.
“They’re weakening him and they’re taking land in the West Bank slowly, slowly and establishing a state for settlers there. Another state for West Bank settlers and Abbas has none. nothing.”
Read more:
Peace of sorts returns to the border of suffering
Ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
“So the Islamic Jihad movement, it will fight?” I ask.
“Would you accept it if Russia took London? Why do we accept the occupation of Palestine? We are still slaves of the occupiers. It is not fair. The absence of international justice will result more bloodshed.”
All Gazans know that violence will return, and it is clear that some are preparing.
