Israel said Tuesday that a Gaza media building it destroyed was used by Hamas to jam air defenses as it offered to help the Associated Press rebuild its bureau.
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Gilad Erdan, gave the most detailed explanation yet of the decision to strike the tower as he met the head of the news agency, Gary Pruitt, at its New York headquarters.
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An Israeli strike on a tower housing international media outlets in the Gaza Strip
(Photo: Reuters)
"The unit was developing an electronic jamming system to be used against the Iron Dome defense system," Erdan said, referring to the anti-missile shield that intercepts Hamas rockets.
He praised the role of the Associated Press and said he did not imagine its employees were aware of the alleged use of the building by Hamas.
"Israel did everything it could to make sure that no employees or civilians were hurt during this important operation," he said in a statement released a day after his meeting with AP executives.
The IDF airstrike on the tower housing international media outlets
"In contrast, Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization that has no regard for the press. It purposely places its terror machine in civilian areas, including in offices being used by international media outlets," he said.
Erdan said that Israel is willing to assist the Associated Press in rebuilding its office in Gaza.
The AP and international media rights groups earlier called for an independent investigation into allegations that the Jala Tower building was used by Hamas.
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Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan meeting with The Associated Press President and CEO Gary Pruitt
The airstrike also destroyed the office of Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television network that has frequently irritated both Israel and Arab states with its coverage.
The attack came during the 11-days of fighting last month between Israel and Palestinian terror groups in Gaza.
Israeli strikes killed 260 Palestinians and wounded more than 1,900 people, the Gaza health ministry says.
Rockets and other fire from Gaza killed 13 people in Israel. with some 357 people wounded.
First published: 19:18, 06.08.21