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Israel today blamed the "terrorist organisation" Hamas for violating the ceasefire in Gaza strip and said air strikes launched by it were not aimed at Palestinians living in the war-torn zone.
Addressing reporters here, Deputy Chief of Mission, the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, Matan Zamir, also disputed the number of casualties in Gaza strip during the 23-day conflict.
"Air strikes on Gaza strip are not against the people there but against the terror organisation Hamas. They (Hamas) have built a three-km terror tunnel for smuggling arms, weapons and drugs and Israel is targetting to snap that link. Every ceasefire, be it on humanitarian ground or on the occasion of Ramadan Eid, the Hamas has violated it," he said.
Zamir was here on a visit to Bhonsala Military School for exploring the possibilities of extending cooperation in the area of education, and particularly military education.
To a query that the number of fatalities on Palestinian side has crossed 1,200, Zamir said, "Don't go by the figure of casualties in Gaza but also count the number of missile the Hamas has fired on Israel.
"Easiest thing is to put the death figures. You journalists have always been interested in the figure of death but (you) should also look at what Hamas is doing across the border. Hamas has fired about 2,800 missiles on Israel."
Equating Hamas with terror outfits like al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, he said that Hamas is using Sheba Hospital in Gaza as a shelter.
"While only top floor of the hospital is used for patients, the basement (at the hospital) is used for storing missiles and other weapons. The international media is also on one of the floors (of the hospital)," the envoy said, adding that Hamas is also using a school to stockpile missiles.
On co-operation with Maharashtra government on education, Zamir said the Consulate had meetings with state chief minister, deputy chief minister, education minister and education secretary on various occasions and is keen on a "staunch cooperation between the two in the field of education."
He said the Consulate recently conducted a workshop for teachers and trainers in Mumbai.
