North Korean state media, in a notable departure, entered the fray of the military clashes between Israel and Hamas by accusing Israel of instigating violence in Gaza. This unusual move marked the first time they had weighed in on the matter. North Korean leader has thrown full support for the Palestinians against the Israeli aggression and blockade of Gaza.
Rodong Sinmun, a prominent mouthpiece for North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, presented a concise article addressing the conflict's details and the resultant casualties. They drew upon reports from foreign media sources to inform their narrative.
The newspaper stated, "The international community asserts that this clash originated from Israel's continual criminal actions against the Palestinian population, emphasizing the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state."
The ongoing violence, which has tragically claimed the lives of over 1,500 individuals, elicited global responses of support for Israel and appeals to halt the hostilities. This followed a devastating attack by Hamas over the weekend, raising concerns for civilian safety.
Hamas responded with a grim ultimatum, vowing to execute an Israeli captive for each Palestinian home bombed by Israel without prior warning. This dire situation further fueled apprehensions of a potential ground offensive by Israel, which had taken the unprecedented step of mobilizing 300,000 reservists and imposing a blockade on Gaza.
North Korean state media's involvement in this matter reflects its tendency to challenge Western viewpoints, particularly those of the United States, on international issues.