Israel’s former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, had a heated exchange with a British news anchor over the ongoing Israeli siege of Gaza, which has left the densely populated conclave without water, electricity, and fuel. When asked about the concerns regarding the Palestinians in Gaza, Bennett responded angrily and said, “Are you …seriously keep on asking me about Palestinian civilians?”
“What is wrong with you? Have you not seen what’s happened? We’re fighting Nazis. We don’t target them. Now the world can come and bring them anything they want. You want to bring them electricity. I am not going to feed electricity or water to my enemies. If anyone else wants, that’s fine,” Bennett continued.
‘Are you seriously asking me about Palestinian civilians? What is wrong with you? We’re fighting Nazis.’Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett adds ‘if Hamas use anyone as a human shield, it is their responsibility.’https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3
Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/19nBKjOYOQ
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 12, 2023
When interrupted by the news anchor, the former Israeli PM said, “No, you listen to me. I have heard you enough.” For three minutes straight, both Bennett and the Sky News anchor argued as the journalist tried to draw a distinction between Hamas and Palestine. Meanwhile, Bennett continued to bat for Israel’s right to defend itself. “I am asking you a question, if someone is shooting your children and hiding behind a human shield, what will you do,” a visibly agitated Bennett asked.
Hamas gunmen killed more than 1,300 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostages in their surprise attack last week. Israel has retaliated by raining air and artillery strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip for six days, killing over 1,350 people.
The Israeli military prepared for a possible ground invasion in Gaza on Thursday as it pounded the tiny coastal strip in retaliation for the unprecedented weekend attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas. Israel has said that a complete siege would remain in place until Hamas freed 150 hostages taken during its incursion. After tempers calmed down, Bennett said, “We’re going to target Hamas, and we’re telling Hamas that if you use anyone as your human shield, it’s their responsibility.”
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is planning to visit on Friday, a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Egypt has engaged in intensive talks with Israel and the United States to allow the delivery of aid and fuel through its Rafah crossing point, which remained closed on both sides Thursday.
(With agency inputs)