In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Israeli lawmaker Ofer Cassif has issued a stark warning regarding the tragic events that unfolded during Saturday’s Hamas attack on Israel. Cassif, a member of the Knesset and the leftist Hadash coalition, emphasized that his party had repeatedly cautioned about such a crisis if the Israeli government continued its illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.
The devastating attack by Hamas, which occurred at dawn on Saturday, involved a multipronged assault with thousands of rockets fired at Israel, and the infiltration of Gaza-based group fighters into Israeli towns and illegal settlements. The outcome was heartbreaking, with at least 600 Israelis losing their lives, including dozens of soldiers, their bodies tragically strewn on roads. Meanwhile, at least 313 Palestinians have been killed, and over 1,700 others wounded as a result of Israeli bombardments of the besieged Gaza enclave.
Cassif condemned and opposed any assault on innocent civilians, while emphasizing the importance of analyzing these tragic incidents in the context of the ongoing occupation. He stressed that Hadash had consistently warned that the situation would “erupt” if the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, did not alter its policies toward Palestinians. Hadash holds four seats in the 120-member Knesset.
Cassif stated, “We have been warning time and time again… everything is going to erupt, and everybody is going to pay a price – mainly innocent civilians on both sides. And unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.” He also criticized the Israeli government, referring to it as a “fascist government” that supports, encourages, and leads pogroms against Palestinians, contributing to what he described as an ongoing ethnic cleansing.
The latest escalation raises the prospect of a broader regional conflict. On Sunday, Hezbollah, a powerful armed group backed by Iran, claimed to have launched guided rockets and artillery onto three posts in Shebaa Farms “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people. Shebaa Farms, claimed by Lebanon, was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.
The Israeli military responded by firing artillery into an area of Lebanon from where cross-border mortar fire was launched. Israel’s military also reported that one of its drones struck a Hezbollah post in the area of Har Dov, within Shebaa Farms.
Cassif expressed concern that elements like Hezbollah could join the conflict, further exacerbating the situation. He emphasized the importance of ending the occupation as the only way to stop the bloodshed of both Palestinians and Israelis.
In a separate incident on Sunday, an Egyptian policeman opened fire on tourists in Alexandria, killing at least two Israeli nationals and one Egyptian. This tragic event adds to the tensions in the region, highlighting the complexity and volatility of the situation.
As international concerns continue to mount, the world watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
