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  • 7 months ago
During a State Department press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked about an Israeli airstrike on a church in Gaza that killed three people.
Transcript
00:00I'm ready to take your questions, and we'll start with the young lady who was in the White House first.
00:05So we'll start with Nadia right now.
00:07Thank you. I want to follow up with what you said.
00:10The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
00:13He just issued a statement to say he's very sorry about targeting, or not targeting,
00:18but by attacking this church, he said it was done by mistake.
00:21But the State Department and the White House put a priority on protecting minorities, especially Christians.
00:27How can you make sure that Christians in Gaza are protected?
00:31We have three people dead, including an 88-year-old woman from Ayyad family.
00:35And to make sure that these people are not actually targeted, but as the Prime Minister said,
00:42because there have been many, many incidents before, Tammy, as you know.
00:45They targeted the Russian Orthodox Church before.
00:48Yes. Well, in this case, of course, it was an accident.
00:52I think that the response from Netanyahu is an appropriate start.
00:57Of course, we share condolences to the citizens, the civilians' deaths at the Roman Catholic Church.
01:05We have asked that Israel investigate the strike still, of course,
01:10and ensure that all civilians, including Christian civilians, remain safe.
01:14That's one of our, of course, regular asks of everyone as we try to stop war and engage with ceasefires
01:24because of the horrible dynamics that exist across the world when this goes on.
01:28There's no benefit to any kind of military action, no real benefit at all.
01:35So Israel did express a deep sorrow over the damage and over any civilian casualties,
01:41and the IDF, they do know, is investigating.
01:44And, of course, for further information, we refer you to the government of Israel.
01:50I can tell you, as I think Caroline also noted, that President Trump also spoke to the Prime Minister.
01:56And I think it's an understatement to say that he was not happy, that it was, it's, who is?
02:04This is, again, the kind of thing that reinforces his commitment to peace around the world.
02:09I've spoken with the Secretary today at length on a number of issues.
02:14Obviously, everyone is appalled.
02:16I can tell you, for those who haven't seen it and for those at home, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has said,
02:22Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty.
02:30The IDF is examining the incident, the circumstances of which is still unclear,
02:34and the results of the investigation will be published transparently.
02:38Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians.
02:48The IDF has a statement as well.
02:50The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene.
02:57The circumstances of the incident are under review.
02:59The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures,
03:04including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.
03:10So this is, I think, a good indication of their realizing what the world expects, what we expect,
03:17and, of course, appreciating POTUS's contact as well, which is helpful for all of us.
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