Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called the Hamas attack on Israel “unprecedented” on “Fox News Live” on Saturday, comparing terrorism to the 9/11 tragedy.
Erdan – whose family lives in Ashkelon, a city near Gaza – called Hamas terrorists “animals” and condemned the military group for killing civilians. The attack began early Saturday morning, which coincided with a major Jewish holiday called Simchat Torah.
“Babies, women, old people were dragged out of their homes, held hostage,” Erdan explained. “Citizens have been shot and most of them butchered in cold blood walking in the streets. This is something that, I mean, is really unprecedented,” he told Fox News’ Eric Sean.
Israeli officials estimate that at least 250 people have died in the conflict so far. 1,500 casualties have also been reported.
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The Palestinian Authority reported slightly lower numbers, citing at least 232 deaths and 1,700 wounded.
The diplomat explained that because Israel’s population is smaller than the United States, the number of victims is comparable to the lives lost on 9/11.
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“We have already suffered 250 deaths [which is] like we have here, 7500 deaths,” explained Erdan. “We already have 1,500 victims. It’s like 50,000 victims here in the United States.”
“This is our 9/11,” he added. “We are committed to changing the equation, to destroying the old paradigm. These animals will pay a heavy price and learn that these atrocities cannot be committed against our civilians again.”
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