New Delhi: As Israel continues to strike Gaza, its foreign ministry on Wednesday said that it had no conflict with the people of the enclave and that its target was Hamas - a militant organisation backed by Iran.
Lior Haiat, the spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Jewish state withdrew from the Gaza Strip 18 years ago and since then it has become the centre of the terror organisation.
During a press briefing, Lior Haiat said, "Israel left the Gaza Strip 18 years ago, with no intention of going back there. The Gaza Strip has been controlled by Palestine for the last 18 years & could have been an example of peaceful neighbouring...Gaza Strip has become the centre of terror organisation. We have no conflict with the people of Gaza, we do have a conflict with Hamas, with Islamic jihad and Iran who is behind it."
However, the briefing was abruptly cut short as an attack unfolded.
The official said, "We must seek shelter in the safe room. I regret the abrupt disruption of this connection, and I appreciate your presence. Regrettably, it appears that Israel is currently under attack."
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader MK Benny Gantz, who also served as head of the army and defence minister, reached an agreement to form an “emergency government” as the conflict with Hamas reached the fifth day on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Gaza was left with no electricity, water and internet services as its only power plant ran out of fuel supplies on Wednesday. This came after Israel stopped the supply of water, food, medicines and essential items to the Gaza strip in retaliation to the Hamas assault.
The ongoing deadly conflict has led to a substantial loss of life, with at least 3,000 people killed so far.
The conflict began on Saturday morning after Hamas, in a surprise assault, fired 5,000 rockets into Israel and initiated a coordinated attack on the Jewish state from air, land, and sea. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and has been bombarding Gaza since then.