The conflict between Israel and Gaza has entered its sixth day, as Israel moves to institute a complete siege on the Palestinian enclave and the death toll on both sides stands around 2000. Numerous politicians from across Turkey’s political spectrum have issued statements on the matter, while the official line from Turkish government officials remains measured. Medyascope‘s Cihan Ataş spoke with Israel’s ambassador in Ankara Irit Lillian regarding the ongoing conflict, Israel’s preparedness, Iran’s potential involvement, and the long-term outlook for Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Reports so far have indicated that Hamas’s attack, which began last Saturday (October 7) caught Israel completely off guard. Such a notion would represent a historic blunder for Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, long famed for its clandestine operations. Regarding Israel’s alleged unpreparedness and intelligence failures prior to the outbreak of violence last weekend, Ataş said the following:
“The fact that Israel found itself under a vicious surprise attack, on the holy day of Simhat Torah by a ruthless, merciless terrorist group has nothing to do with Israel’s intelligence or military capabilities, it has to do with morality and the difference between sovereign states and terrorist organizations. No country in the world prepares for hundreds of bloodthirsty savages, mobbing over thousands of youngsters in a peaceful nature party, killing babies in their cradles, abducting kids while killing their parents in front of their eyes. For any democratic society, acting according to internationally accepted moral values – the possibility of a frantic ISIL-style attack is not a scenario you can prepare for. A country like us or like Turkey prepares for war, conducts counter terrorism activities on a regular basis based on certain rules of conduct – we do not prepare for conflicts based on Middle Ages norms or ways of resistance. Democracies know how to debrief, look into mistakes, and correct them. This soul searching cannot be performed while fighting a just war, it will be done in the future when peace and calmness are restored.”
Regarding the casualties thus far as well as the number of captives taken hostage by Hamas, Ambassador Lillian said:
“Unfortunately, and due to the nature of the assault, we don’t yet have a completely clear picture. More than 900 have been murdered, almost 3000 are injured, and more than one hundred are missing. We believe that most of them are held by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza, but we have no clue about their whereabouts as the terrorists are responsible for their fate. We know that amongst the victims there are people of different nationalities (although no Turkish citizens as far as we know).”
Many critics have pointed to Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza, expanding of illegal settlements in the West Bank, and actions in Jerusalem especially regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque as provocations which have led to the current conflict. Ataş asked Israel’s ambassador in Ankara about the future awaiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories post-conflict:
“Right now we are at war, but this time it’s not like those in the past. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it loud and clear: Israel will take all necessary measures to annihilate the military capabilities of Hamas and other terror organizations in Gaza. Israel is not seeking escalation and doesn’t want to see the opening of other fronts in the West Bank or on the border with Lebanon. However, Israel has the right to defend its citizens and therefore a strong blow to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza is just a question of time.”
Iran’s suspected role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has been an intense topic of speculation over the past six days. While a Wall Street Journal report published over the weekend alleging Iranian complicity in planning Hamas’ attack have stoked rumors of Tehran’s involvement, recent US intelligence reports have suggested that the operation caught Iranian officials off-guard, indicating they did not play a role in the planning. Ambassador Lillian said the following regarding Iran’s suspected role and connection to Hezbollah:
“Iran has played a very important role in the unfolding of these events. Iran’s ideology calling for the destruction of the State of Israel is the source of inspiration for the perpetrators. The Supreme leader of Iran Ali Hosseini Khomenei tweeted a congratulatory message after the attack promising that the State of Israel was close to its end. Moreover, Iran is nourishing its proxies in the region – be it Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, or others – and providing tens of millions of dollars of direct financial support, training, ammunition, technologies and know-how. Even if there is no direct evidence, as some claim, for Iranian direct involvement in the terrorist attack, we believe that was directing the attack and had full knowledge of it.”
Israel’s military has for years dreaded the possibility of a ground invasion of Gaza, a prospect that would likely entail bloody hand to hand combat in the enclave’s densely populated urban landscape. Medyascope asked Lillian about Israel’s plans for such an operation, which many experts now view as an inevitable next step in the conflict:
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“We don’t know if and when a ground operation will start, but from the Israeli perspective, all options are on the table. We know that this time the blow on Hamas and its affiliates in Gaza will be a very harsh one. It might be a very painful time for the inhabitants of Gaza; innocent civilians might be hurt as well, although Israel is doing more than any other country to avoid harming non-involved citizens. We must also remember that Hamas took hostage not only Israeli citizens last Saturday, but a whole innocent Palestinian population for more than a decade.”
Finally, Lillian spoke on the possibility of imposing sanctions on the West Bank for suspected complicity in Hamas’ operation, and played down the notion of that Israel intends to punish the Palestinians collectively:
“As mentioned, Israel does not intend to open more fronts in this war and has no intention to punish the Palestinians. The people of the West Bank should concentrate on improving their lives and not associating with terrorists; it will promise a much better future not only for themselves, but for the people of Gaza and the whole region.”
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
