Israel promises report on destroyed Gaza clinic

Stubb met Israeli Ambassador and Palestinian representative

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Israel promised on Wednesday that it would give a detailed report on the destruction of a clinic in Gaza, which had been financed by FinnChurchAid, the humanitarian aid organisation of Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
      At their meeting in Helsinki on Wednesday, Israeli Ambassador Avi Granot also briefed Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) on Israel’s goals in the cease fire talks being held in Cairo.
      “Their view, and ours, is that international observers are needed to maintain a cease fire. One of the core problems are the tunnels from Egypt to Gaza, and the supervision of the area”, Stubb said.
     
Stubb also discussed the Gaza crisis with Nabil Alwazir, head of the Palestine General Delegation in Helsinki.
      Stubb emphasised the importance of an immediate cease fire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the resumption of peace talks. He condemned attacks against humanitarian targets.
      Ambassador Granot reiterated the Israeli view, according to which the building had been evacuated of civilians, and that Palestinian fighters were there. Israel says that the residents had been warned that the clinic would be hit.
     
Granot also met with representatives of FinnChurchAid, who were not convinced that Hamas fighters had infiltrated the clinic after it had been closed.
      “We have not received such information from our partners, but it is difficult to investigate the matter in such difficult conditions”, says Jouni Hemberg, the organisation’s head of humanitarian aid.
      Granot rejected a call by former Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja (SDP), who had called on Israel to pay compensation for the destruction of the clinic. Granot rejected the demand.
      “Let’s look into those things later. Now we need to focus on the delivery of aid”, Hemberg said.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Pro-Israel march draws 2,000 in Helsinki (14.1.2009)
  Foreign Minister Stubb denounces Israeli attack on clinic run by Finnchurchaid (13.1.2009)
  Finnish nurse speaks of “sad atmosphere” at Gaza hospital (9.1.2009)
  Finland sending aid to Gaza (8.1.2009)
  Foreign Minister Stubb calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire (5.1.2009)

Links:
  FinnChurchAid

Helsingin Sanomat