Israeli ambassador defends strikes against Gaza, claims war is not against ‘innocent Palestinians’

Israel’s ambassador to Australia has declared the escalating war crisis as the darkest moment in the state’s history and claimed Israel posed no threat to Palestinian civilians.

Ambassador Amir Maimon addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday.

He said the developing conflict was not about Israel but “the future of the entire Middle East” and “the world in which we live”.

“It will have implications for all of us and a valuable and importance alliances forming between like-minded countries such as the United States, the UK, Australia,” Mr Maimon said.

“On the other side, an evil coalition of rogue states and terrorist groups of which Hamas and Hezbollah are the most prominent are attempting to reshape the world of curling to their dangerous agenda.”

Palestine’s health ministry has claimed more than 5000 people have died since Israel began launching retaliatory air strikes on October 7 following an attack by Hamas that killed 1400 people.

Mr Maimon said Israeli attacks were “not against the Palestinian people” and declared the IDF was not responsible for civilian casualties.

“The only actors that should be blamed for the death of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip are Hamas and the other extremist organisations in Gaza who hide among women and children, their own people,” he said.

“Israel is defending itself and fighting for its life as a true democracy. It is doing everything in its power to avoid harming the innocent.”

When asked about the Israeli military’s role in protecting innocent civilians, Mr Maimon said buildings struck by Israeli air strikes were “legitimate military targets” in accordance with international law.

“We do no have any intention to harm innocent Palestinian civilians,” he claimed.

Earlier, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong called for “humanitarian pauses on hostilities” in Gaza for the delivery of aid and evacuation of civilians.

This echoed calls from the United Nations on Tuesday that proclaimed supplies were “barely making a dent”.

Mr Maimon disagreed with Senator Wong’s assertions that not enough aid was flowing into Gaza.

“With all due respect, she (Senator Wong) represents Australia and I represent Israel,” he said.

“According to my information, the humanitarian situation is fair and once again, in recent days, we are allowed the passing of about 30 trucks from the Rafah passage from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.”