GAZA CITY: Palestinian resistance group Hamas acknowledged “some faults” in its October 7 attacks on southern Israel, stating that these actions were a “necessary step” in response to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
In a 16-page report released in both English and Arabic, Hamas justified the attack but admitted challenges due to the rapid collapse of the Israeli security and military system.
During the October 7 incident, hundreds of Hamas fighters breached Gaza’s militarized border with Israel by land, air, and sea. The attack led to approximately 1,140 casualties, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, with fighters holding around 250 hostages.
Hamas claimed that any unintentional targeting of civilians occurred in the course of the confrontation with Israeli forces, emphasizing that many Israelis were killed by their own military due to confusion.
Israel’s retaliatory actions included a siege on Gaza, resulting in a significant loss of life, with at least 25,105 Palestinians killed, mostly women, children, and adolescents, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Hamas Calls October 7 Attack a Normal Response
The resistance group called the October 7 attack a “normal response” to Israeli conspiracies against Palestinians. On Sunday, Hamas urged an immediate halt to Israeli aggression on Gaza, rejecting international and Israeli efforts to determine Gaza’s post-war future.
The report emphasized the Palestinian people’s right to decide their future and hold the Israeli occupation accountable for the suffering inflicted. Hamas pointed to the historical roots of the conflict, dating back 105 years, and expressed its determination to pursue legal accountability for the Israeli occupation’s actions against Palestinians.
