Hamas issued on Sunday an 18-page document about its Oct.7 Al-Aqsa Flood attack against Israel. In its first public report on the attacks that sparked the Gaza war, Hamas said they were a “necessary step” against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
The group emphasized that the operation was a necessary and natural response to counter Israel’s alleged plans to “terminate the Palestinian cause.”
Titled “Our Narrative,” the document was released in both the Arabic and English by the Hamas Media Office.
Hamas attributed the alleged chaos and breaches in the security fence to failures in the Israeli security and military systems.
It also called for an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, demanding a halt to “crimes and genocide,” the lifting of the blockade, and the opening of border crossings for aid.
The group rejected any international or Israeli plans for Gaza’s future, insisting that the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination without external interference.
While Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza for the fourth month, US intelligence sources estimate that Israeli forces have killed 20-30% of Hamas members since the conflict began, according to the Wall Street Journal.
However, this falls short of Israel’s goal to dismantle the movement entirely.
US officials also said Hamas still has enough ammunition to target Israel and its forces in the besieged territory for several more months.
Current and former Israeli military officials have said Hamas doesn’t aim to win but rather to endure the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A senior Israeli military official, who chose anonymity, said Hamas “doesn’t have to win or lose the war.”
The conflict has displaced over 80% of Gaza’s population.
Hamas took around 250 Israelis hostage during its October 7 attack. About 100 of them were released during a ceasefire in late November.
Israel believes that 132 of them are still in Gaza, while 27 were killed.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed more than 25,000 people, predominantly women and children, with over 52,000 reported injuries, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
International health organizations have expressed concern over the “inhumane living conditions” in Gaza, where 2.4 million people face severe shortages, including basic necessities and communication services.
