The Israeli defence minister has attacked ‘Hamas propaganda’ spreading across British universities as he declared that his nation is ‘fighting on the frontline of the free world’.
Yoav Gallant also warned in a briefing to the Daily Mail that aid cash raised by pro-Palestinian activists was being funnelled into global ‘terrorist networks’.
Mr Gallant accused Hamas, who civilians trapped in Gaza say are stealing food, of ‘capitalising’ on the humanitarian crisis.
He said claims levelled at the terrorist group by citizens under their control should be a warning to the British public of Hamas’s true nature.
The defence minister warned: ‘Hamas propaganda is influencing universities and protests, and money is being poured in which is activating terror networks around the world.
‘This is a collision course between civilizations. Hamas represents a medieval phenomenon.
‘When there is a fire in the first house, you have to stop it from spreading in the village and reaching the church. Israel is like the first house. We are fighting on the frontline of the free world against terrorism.’
The briefing in Tel Aviv comes after The Mail on Sunday told how Palestinians accused Hamas of looting entire neighbourhoods evacuated since the outbreak of war.
On Friday, an elderly woman risked her life to tell an Al Jazeera reporter that Hamas was taking their aid packages into tunnels, adding: ‘Everything goes to their houses.’
Another young Palestinian mother seen cradling her baby told a journalist: ‘You send us humanitarian aid, but I swear to God that we get nothing.’ Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to Britain’s streets to call for a ceasefire.
While most marchers have been peaceful, open displays of anti-Semitism from some have shocked onlookers in Israel. For those in the UK still supporting the evil regime in Gaza, Mr Gallant pointed towards the revelations.
He said: ‘Hamas uses every tool possible – including sacrificing hundreds of thousands of civilians. They are capitalising on the humanitarian situation and using the civilian population. They have built hundreds of kilometres of tunnels under hospitals, school, etcetera. They are using hospitals and civilian infrastructure to protect terror infrastructure.’
Mr Gallant also believed that Hamas had ‘underestimated Israel’s retaliation’.
Israeli forces have already surrounded Gaza City in the north with fierce street fighting seeing hundreds of terrorists surrender.
Meanwhile a new offensive was launched in the south last week with hundreds of targets hit by land, air and sea.
Mr Gallant said: ‘It’s hard to bring democracies to fight wars but once we are in one, we are much stronger because we are fighting to defend our values.
‘In the northern region of Gaza, Hamas is suffering massive losses and we are achieving our military goals. Hamas terrorists have two options: die or surrender.’
Speaking after his British counterpart, Grant Shapps, visited Israel, Mr Gallant said: ‘The level of understanding and cooperation between Israel and the UK militarily, and in the field of intelligence, are at a peak and will only go further. We share the same values and interests, especially in the fight against terrorism.
‘Secretary Shapps’ visit was historic – we haven’t had a visit by a British Secretary of State for Defence in 27 years. We deeply value our relationship and defence cooperation.’
Mr Gallant spoke as IDF forces in northern Israel exchanged more fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Six Israeli soldiers were injured yesterday after a drone attack on a base in Galilee. It is feared tensions in the region could escalate into a full-blown war in the Middle East. Mr Gallant warned Hezbollah in Lebanon to ‘ask themselves if they want the same things to happen in Beirut’ as is happening in Gaza.
He added: ‘We do not want war, but if we reach a situation where we need to establish our security here, we will not hesitate – just as we did not hesitate in the south.’
It came as Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night said: ‘The war is still ongoing but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It’s over.’ Referring to the Hamas chief, he said: ‘Don’t die for [Yahya] Sinwar. Surrender now. In the past few days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered.’ Hamas denied his claims.
