This document published by Hamas on Sunday, January 21, is the first of its kind. The Palestinian Islamist movement intends to deliver “its version of the facts” on the unprecedented attack perpetrated on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023, which caused the death of 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to a count by the Agency France-Presse (AFP) based on official Israeli data, including more than 360 festival-goers in Réim.
According to Hamas, Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” was “a necessary step” and a “normal response” to “all Israeli plots against the Palestinian people.” “Mistakes may have been made during the implementation of the operation, due to the sudden collapse of the security and military apparatus along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip,” assures organization considered terrorist by the United States, the European Union and Israel.
“Avoiding harm to civilians, in particular children, women and the elderly is a religious and moral obligation of the fighters of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” continues Hamas, mentioning its armed wing, and insists “having done its best to avoid hitting civilians,” despite the death toll of 1,140.
Furthermore, investigations are underway in Israel following testimonies of sexual violence.
Rejection of “any international or Israeli project” on the future of Gaza
In its report, the Islamist movement also calls for “an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, killings and ethnic cleansing committed against the entire population of Gaza.”
Also, he declares that he “categorically rejects any international or Israeli project aimed at deciding the future of the Gaza Strip”, affirming that the “Palestinian people” can “decide on their future and organize their internal affairs”, insisting on the fact that “no one in the world” has the right to decide for him.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden that Israel must “ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat” and this demand “contradicts the demand of Palestinian sovereignty”, according to the office of the head of the Israeli government, despite American, European and United Nations calls for the creation of a Palestinian state.
On the 107th day of war, the air and ground offensive carried out by Israel to “annihilate” Hamas in Gaza killed 25,105 people, the vast majority civilians, and injured 62,681, the ministry announced on Sunday. of the health of the Gaza Strip, territory administered by Hamas.
