WASHINGTON: The Associated Press’ top editor is calling for an independent investigation into the Israeli airstrike that targeted and destroyed a Gaza City building housing the AP, broadcaster Al-Jazeera and other media, saying the public deserves to know the facts.
Separately, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel’s bombing of a building housing the media organizations as a possible war crime.
Sally Buzbee, AP’s executive editor, said Sunday that the Israeli government has yet to provide clear evidence supporting its attack, which leveled the 12-story Al-Jalaa tower.
The Israeli military, which gave AP journalists and other tenants about an hour to evacuate, claimed Hamas used the building for a military intelligence office and weapons development. Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Israel was compiling evidence for the US but declined to commit to providing it within the next two days.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he has not seen any Israeli evidence of the Hamas operating in the Gaza building that housed residences, offices and media organisations – including Al Jazeera and The Associated Press – that Israel destroyed on Saturday.
Blinken said on Monday he has asked Israel for justification for the strike. The Israeli military, which gave journalists and other building occupants about an hour to evacuate, claims that Hamas used the building for a military intelligence office.
“Shortly after the strike we did request additional details regarding the justification for it,” Blinken said from Copenhagen, Denmark. He declined to discuss specific intelligence, saying he “will leave it to others to characterize if any information has been shared and our assessment that information”.
‘Game Is Not Over’: Emily Lau Says of HongKongers’ Fight for Democracy
In Hong Kong, the struggle for democracy and freedom will continue despite the local government’s crackdown on opposition figures, activists, and press freedom, said Hong Kong’s “Iron Lady” Emily Lau.
“I can tell you the game is not over. We will continue to struggle to defend our free lifestyle and our freedoms but in a peaceful and non-violent way,” Lau said in a recent interview on The Epoch Times’ “American Thought Leaders” program.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, has seen a drastic deterioration of press and other freedom as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tightened its grip over the city. According to Washington-based nonprofit Freedom House, Hong Kong saw its score for civil liberties dropped from 45 in 2017 to 37 this year.
AP s top editor calls for probe into Israeli air strike jamaicaobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jamaicaobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Blinken seen no evidence of Hamas in levelled office building
Blinken says he has not seen any Israeli evidence of Hamas operating in Gaza office building hit by airstrike
Politics 4 min read
17 May, 2021
Speaking in Denmark, the US Secretary of State said that he pressed Israel to justify the devastating attack.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday he hasn t yet seen any evidence supporting Israel s claim that Hamas operated in a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other media outlets that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. Blinken said he has pressed Israel for justification.
Blinken spoke at a news conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, a day after