Israeli diplomat: Hamas is a terror group, Hamas is not Palestine

MANILA, Philippines — An Israeli diplomat clarified on Thursday that the militant group Hamas is a terrorist group which should not be linked to Palestine. 

In a virtual briefing with reporters in Manila, Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines Esty Buzgan explained that they have been trying to clear the air regarding the skirmishes between Israel and Hamas, given that a lot of misinformation has surrounded the conflict.

“Hamas is a terror organization, it’s been known as one by different countries […] what’s important to say about Hamas, Hamas doesn’t care about their own people.  Hamas is not Palestine, there are good people there, but Hamas is abusing not only the Jews, (they’re) abusing (their) own people,” she said.

“It’s so hard for me to share this, to let you understand what’s actually going on, because we have so much misinformation on the web, we have people thinking that’s part of the conflict.  Guys, this is not part of the conflict, this is something else,” she added.

“This is a massacre, this is our 9/11, this is being pure beasts in killing whatever you encounter, burning villages, shooting dogs, shooting everyone around you,” she added.

Buzgan also turned emotional several times, as she said that her hometown was one of the Israeli cities attacked by Hamas.

“I’ve heard so many stories about Arabs living in Gaza strip who were invaded by terrorists into their house, pointing a gun at their families and saying ‘okay, you now […] expose yourself or we will shoot everyone in front of their eyes,” she claimed.

Thousands of people in Israel have died after a surprise attack from Hamas last October 7, forcing the Israeli government to declare war against the group. 

At least 300,000 reservists have been called up as Israel launched counter offensives against the militants, which are based in Palestine.

Reports on Thursday stated that the death toll in Israel has already reached around 1,300.

Israel, believed to have one of the world’s best air defenses with its vaunted Iron Dome, was shocked over the weekend with missile strikes from Hamas which began an air, water, and land assault from Gaza.

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