Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib is calling for an “independent investigation” into the recent bombing of a Gaza Strip hospital amid the ongoing war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.
Late last month, Tlaib released a statement denying to accept the U.S. and Israeli findings that Islamic Jihad were behind the attack. The Palestine-based terrorist group reportedly has ties with Hamas.
“Media outlets and third-party analysts have raised doubts about claims and evidence offered by both Israel and the Gaza Ministry of Health, and I agree with the United Nations that an independent investigation is necessary,” the congresswoman wrote.
“I cannot uncritically accept Israel’s denials of responsibility as fact, especially in light of confirmation from the World Health Organization that Israel has bombed numerous medical facilities in Gaza and reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society of ongoing threats from the Israeli military to evacuate hospital[s],” she continued.
This comes after a rocket attack at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza killed 500 people. Hamas, however, said that the airstrike was ordered by Israel. But both the White House and the Israeli government have determined that the explosion was caused by a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket from Palestine.
“Both the Israeli and United States governments have long, documented histories of misleading the public about wars and war crimes — like last year’s Israeli military assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh and the false claims of weapons of mass destruction that led our country into the Iraq War — and cannot clear themselves of responsibility without an independent international investigation,” Tlaib added. “This debate should not distract us from the urgent need for a ceasefire to save innocent civilian lives.”
Earlier last month, the Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel and invaded towns along the Gaza border, killing at least 700 people. The death toll has risen to 1,200 since the conflict between the two parties erupted, according to IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.
The attack has since prompted Israel to declare war against the terrorist group with a ruthless aerial campaign that has flattened homes, schools, medical institutions, and government buildings in the Gaza Strip.
