Ambassador Ziv: Hamas must be destroyed, it's clear who stands behind them

The situation is extremely difficult; yesterday, the number of dead stood at 900, today it's 1,200, and most of them were killed in the massacre on Saturday, a barbaric attack carried out by Hamas," Tamar Ziv, Israel's Ambassador in Pristina, says in an interview with Kosovo Online.

Ambassador Ziv, who was supposed to return to Pristina on Sunday but delayed her return until the situation calms down, states that over 2,600 people are injured, more than 100 people have been kidnapped, and their fate is unknown.

"We are talking about babies, children, elderly people, women, those who survived the Holocaust. At this moment, the situation is terribly difficult; testimonies are just beginning to emerge, and people are starting to talk about the horrific massacre. So many settlements and villages have been destroyed," the Ambassador says, adding that a significant number of foreign nationals have also suffered, either killed or taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.

What can Israel do to prevent such a thing from happening again?

The reality that has existed in the Gaza Strip since 2007 must change. It cannot continue. Our army and state are determined to break the current Hamas and destroy its terrorist capabilities. No matter how long it takes, we cannot rest until this organization loses its ability to act as terrorists. Hamas is like ISIS, with the same cruelty, barbarism, and inhumanity, and we cannot allow them to remain in this country.

Is there any state behind Hamas, and how capable is this organization of carrying out an attack like the one on Saturday?

Of course, it is not acting alone, and not just Hamas, but also Hezbollah and all similar organizations are proxies of Iran, which supports them financially, logistically, and in every other way. The connection is very clear, and they are funded by Iran.

Where were you at the time of the attack?

The attack happened on a Saturday, which was also a Sabbath, and it was a holiday. The sirens woke us up at 6:45 in the morning. We went to the shelter, and at first, we couldn't grasp the extent of the attack. Israel had been working on de-escalating the situation; there were talks of significant economic projects, and 20,000 workers from the Gaza Strip were employed in Israel, earning money to support their families. There was no provocation from our side. When we turned on the television, we were shocked by the scenes of villages and settlements near the Gaza Strip that had been attacked. Over 1,000 terrorists infiltrated Israel and attacked simultaneously. They massacred entire families, raped women, abducted...

Do you feel that Israel now has the support of the whole world?

Definitely. If you heard President Biden's speech, there couldn't be stronger support for Israel. Despite the United States, the entire Western world, including Kosovo, supports Israel. We've received so many words of support from the President, the Prime Minister, all the parties. Ordinary people calling and showing their support.

Is what happened to Israel in some way a warning to us in the Balkans, we're talking about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, that the parties must return to the negotiating table and continue the dialogue?

Absolutely. This is a lesson for the entire world. Violence and aggression are not the way to achieve something; dialogue is the only way.

Concern is growing over civilian casualties among Palestinians. What can Israel do to avoid civilian casualties?

It's important for the world to understand that Hamas has no regard for civilians and uses them as human shields. Hamas has bases in hospitals, schools, and mosques, deliberately placing their rockets there. Israel has always tried not to harm civilians, but it does happen, and there is no war where civilians do not suffer. Israel wants to protect civilians, not harm them. We regret every civilian casualty, but Hamas declared war on Israel, and Hamas must pay the price.

Is this the beginning of the end for Hamas?

We hope so. I'm not a prophet, but it's clear that we are entering something that won't be over in a few days. I don't know how much time it will take or what price we'll have to pay, but the reality in the Gaza Strip must change.