Tactics Institute for Security and Counterterrorism has strongly condemned and expressed horror and disappointment at Israel’s resumption of strikes on Gaza that killed hundreds of innocent civilians. The Institute warned that the assault could undermine a ceasefire that was planned to be permanent.
Recently, Israel has carried out a wave of air strikes on Gaza, slaying hundreds of people. The attacks, which took place across Gaza, were Israel’s heaviest since the ceasefire began on January 19. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported almost 404 people killed and 562 injured. Israel, which conferred with the US in advance of the action, stated the strikes were targeted at mid-level Hamas leaders, officials and infrastructure.
Tactics Institute called the strikes aggressive and barbaric. The bombing was a flagrant violation of the ceasefire that took effect in mid-January. Palestinians in Gaza were suffering an intolerable level of suffering; the new fight would fuel hell on Earth. The pictures of burning tents in refugee camps were shocking. The fleeing of children and the displacement of internally displaced persons must never be used as leverage in negotiations.
The airstrikes and shelling, which killed hundreds, are scary. It is imperative that this nightmare comes to an end immediately. As the violence of the last 18 months has made abundantly clear, military solutions are not the answer to this crisis. We call for a political settlement in line with international law. A Palestinian population that is already suffering catastrophic conditions will only suffer further misery as a result of Israel resorting to yet more military force.
Moreover, before the strikes started, Israel had also committed a breach of international law by stopping aid to Gaza. Despite Israel’s right to defend itself, we find the lack of aid … incredibly alarming and worrying.
The attacks can be described as Israel’s attacks on Gaza as a new phase in its policy of genocide against Palestinians. We demand that Israel demonstrate restraint and to re-establish free humanitarian access to Gaza. Negotiations were the only way to find a solution. Violence must stop, and the duration of the ceasefire agreement must be respected. All hostages and prisoners must be released, and humanitarian aid must be resumed immediately.
The institute again condemned the Israeli strikes, which are jeopardising efforts to free the hostages and threatening the lives of the civilian population in Gaza and highlighted that the deadly new series of Israeli airstrikes threatened a permanent end to hostility.
