Since last Saturday, the media’s attention has been turned to the Middle East due to the war between Israel and Hamas. One of the most detailed coverage areas is that of TVE through its information services and programs: ‘The Hour of 1’. The morning show began delivery on Wednesday, October 19 and focused on: The massacre that took place in a hospital in Gaza yesterday afternoonAn incident in which at least 500 people lost their lives.
Throughout the program, Silvia Intxaurrondo And Marc Sala I interviewed Juan Rodríguez Garat, retired admiral of the Spanish Navy. The guest began his controversial speech by saying: “What currently exists in the Gaza Strip is a war declared by Israel, which legitimizes Hamas’ previous terrorist attack on October 7.” “I fear that many of the accusers Israel They are accused of committing war crimes and I’m not saying they don’t exist, they do, they didn’t read the agreement.
“In the context of war, it is not true that civilians cannot be bombed while protecting military activities, quite the opposite. If any side has civilians used as human shields to protect a military action, War crimes are committed by those who use themIt’s not who bombed it,” Garat defended.
These words stunned Intxaurrondo: “Admiral, do you know what is going on? We do not think that a terrorist attack is justified in any case. In no case. So Hamas’ terrorist attack was not legitimized. I say this just to be clear.” “Of course I know,” the analyst replied. The journalist reminded that International Humanitarian Law includes two elements classified as illegal: forced displacement and targeting of civilian populations. Garat commented, “Civilians are protected, hospitals are protected, but when they are used by an enemy for military purposes they lose that protection (…)” before Marc Sala recalled “the bombed spots”. “. “Yesterday, 6 people were killed in a refugee camp, the bombs came from where they came from”The presenter emphasized.
Silvia Intxaurrondo: “Where is the border?”
Garat’s admission that “proportionality” should be demanded from Israel left Intxaurrondo in doubt: “Can you clarify something for me? What does proportionate military intervention mean? Where is the border?”. The guest said, “They both have different aims,” without giving a clear answer, causing the presenter to insist on his question by putting the figures of those killed in the Israeli attacks in Gaza on the table.
“So what is proportionate, Admiral? We talk a lot about a proportionate military intervention, but there are currently 3,000 deaths in Israeli attacks beyond the hospital attack. More than 1,000 of them are children. Can this happen?” Is it proportionate??”asked.
“The military advantage must outweigh civilian casualties. If there is a sniper in a hospital with 1000 injured people and someone destroys him, he could be considered a war criminal.. On the other hand, if there are 1000 snipers, you can bomb even if there are 1000 wounded inside. The military advantage would be greater,” the guest assured.
“Okay admiral, let’s leave this conversation here because de facto, there is a clear digital procedure in the international criminal court before which both parties can present evidence and arguments,” concluded the TVE journalist.