Gaza, 22, January, 2024 : In a recent report, Palestinian group Hamas defended its October 7 attacks against Israel, citing them as a “necessary step” against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The group, however, admitted to “faults” in the execution of the attacks and called for an end to what it termed as “Israeli aggression” in Gaza.
The report marks the first public acknowledgment by Hamas of shortcomings in the October 7 attacks, which led to a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the group and Israel. Southern Gaza has become the focal point of Israel’s efforts to dismantle the Islamist group responsible for the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
According to the report, the attacks were deemed necessary to combat the Israeli occupation and secure the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas conceded that “some faults happened… due to the rapid collapse of the Israeli security and military system, and the chaos caused along the border areas.”
The October 7 attacks initiated a war that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The conflict further saw accounts of sexual violence, with difficulties in assessing the full scale due to the scarcity of survivor testimonies and a lack of forensic evidence.
Hamas, classified as a “terrorist” group by the United States and the European Union, admitted to seizing about 250 hostages during the attacks, with Israel reporting approximately 132 still held in Gaza. The death toll of captives in Palestinian territory has now reached 28, as reported by an AFP tally based on Israeli data.
The report emphasized the commitment of Hamas fighters to “Islamic values” and suggested that civilian casualties occurred accidentally during confrontations with Israeli forces. Hamas called for Israel to be held “legally accountable” for Palestinian suffering and urged “popular pressure around the world until ending the occupation.”
In response to the October 7 attacks, Israel launched a military offensive that, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, has led to the death of at least 25,105 people, mostly women and children. The conflict has caused widespread humanitarian concerns, with UN agencies warning of famine and disease as Gazans struggle with shortages of water, medical care, and other essentials.
Diplomatic efforts have been underway to address the crisis, with humanitarian aid deliveries sought for Gaza and discussions about a potential truce. However, the Hamas report rejected any international and Israeli efforts to decide Gaza’s post-war future, emphasizing the group’s commitment to its own conditions.
As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, international stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, and concerns persist about the potential for wider escalation, particularly in light of ongoing exchanges of fire on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
