Israeli Diplomat 'Sorry For Civilians' But Slams Hamas

Moshe Kamhi, Israel's Turkish-born consul general to Istanbul has told Anadolu Agency he is sorry for civilian causalities in Gaza but lashed out at Hamas which he claims is deliberately using civilians as a human shield.



"We don't discriminate between innocent people whether they are Israeli or Palestinian. We feel sorry for all of them equally," Kamhi said in an exclusive interview with AA.



Since July 7, Israel has launched an air and naval bombardment on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire from the territory.



So far 732 Palestinians, mostly civilians and including 180 children, have been killed and over 4,500 people wounded, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. According to official Israeli figures, 31 Israelis – including 29 soldiers – have been killed since hostilities began.



Last week, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of soldiers into the narrow coastal territory.



Stating that the Israeli Defense Forces warned people in Gaza to evacuate their homes before airstrikes Kamhi said: "Hamas dig terror tunnels from homes in Gaza to penetrate into Israeli territory and kill Israeli people. Hamas is hiding behind civilians."



Israel's 'Operation Protective Edge' is the country's third major offensive against the densely populated strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



Kamhi said the operation is not targeting Palestinians but was aimed at restoring a safe place where both Israelis and Palestinians can live together, adding that this could be provided once the "Hamas terror organization" is destroyed.



"What Israel aims [to do] is to destroy Hamas's terror tunnels and its weaponry under them. Once we are done with it we would like to sit at a table and talk about the long-deserved, sustainable peace and reconciliation process," he continued.



Referring to Turkey's stance against Israel after the Gaza violence, Kamhi said: "Israel and Turkey have common interests and agenda, such as isolating terror ... We need to look ahead to the future of relations and expand our horizon going beyond today's events. Then we will see things get better and the conflicts will be over."



Turkish-Israeli relations have been strained since Israeli commandos killed eight Turks along with a Turkish-American citizen in May 2010 when they attacked an aid flotilla including the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara while it was in international waters off Gaza.



"When I first came to Turkey in 2009 Israel launched another operation against Gaza. We were exposed to heavy criticism [by] Turkish media. Today we experience very same thing.



"My duty period in Istanbul is ending in a month. I am sorry to leave this country with these sad feelings," Kamhi added. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - İstanbul