Hamas deputy leader defends 7 October attacks amid wider criticism

Khalil al-Hayya, deputy leader of the Hamas militant group, said that the attacks of 7 October 2023, where over 1,200 people lost their lives, were the only way to put the question of Palestinian statehood on the world agenda once again because the attacks have been largely condemned and there are huge and mounting civilian casualties on both sides and huge evidence that civilians have been targeted.

Hamas’ Defence of 7 October Attacks
The assaults, led by Hamas fighters on the soil of Israel, were considered among the most deadly attacks in years with casualties on both sides: Israeli and Palestinian. Al-Hayya, the most senior Hamas figure outside the Gaza Strip, saw no reason to call for restraint since this was a necessary evil which would bring the Palestinian cause before the eyes of the world and break the “cycle of violence” in the Middle East once and for all.

Al-Hayya, speaking from Doha, where most Hamas’ political leadership is located, framed the operations within the context of the broader struggle against what Hamas considers the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. He referred to the land to be mistakenly occupied, and the raids were just a confrontation reaction to years of Palestinians being suppressed and dislodged.

Denial of Targeting Civilians
Jeremy Bowen asked al-Hayya in the interview about the documented evidence that the Hamas fighters had targeted the civilians in the 7th of October attacks. The casualty report estimated over 1,200 people being killed and over 250 being taken into Gaza as hostages. Al-Hayya denied these allegations that the fighters had targeted the civilians despite the evidence while asserting that Hamas’ actions were for the purpose of bringing an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

He says that the deaths of civilians were part of the all-embracing larger conflict and Israeli policies. Al-Hayya’s statement seemed to have little effect in loosening the international anger, as Hamas is defined as a terrorist organization by the UK, the US, or the European Union. The denial of the death of civilians by the deputy leader brought his critics global leaders as well as human rights organizations.

Reaction to the Slaughter of 40,000 Gazans
Upon being asked about the repercussions of retaliatory Israeli strikes that result in death tolls over 40,000 among the Gaza populace, including civilians, al-Hayya laid the responsibility squarely at the doorstep of Israel. He pointed out that Israel has occupied for decades land which the Palestinians maintain is their own. It is that occupation, according to al-Hayya, which feeds the conflict and the killing, and not Hamas.

Al-Hayya said he has no words of repentance for the lives lost-justifying the deaths as a cost in the continued struggle for Palestinian independence. “The occupation is the source of the violence,” he said-dodging questions by referring only to the situation of casualties involving civilians on both sides.

International Criticism and the Identification of Hamas as a Terrorist Organization
In short, Hamas is regarded as a terrorist group by many governments, like the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union. Indeed, the tactics used by the group Hamas-the frequent killing of innocent civilians and the deliberate kidnapping of others-have been condemned worldwide. Yet in the interview, al-Hayya remains adamant that the attacks launched by Hamas form an integral part of a legitimate resisting movement against the Israeli occupation.

Where al-Hayya justified the activities of the group, his comments would not go easy on international condemnation. The amount of bloodletting, especially on 7 October, has only made the gulf between Hamas and the international community, who remain bent on finding a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian strife, wide and deepened.
The killing of civilians on both sides is not yet reflected in higher demands for perpetual peace in this place.

Iran’s Missile Attack on Israel
It is quite interesting that al-Hayya was interviewed right before Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel, pushing the tensions in the region to a new high. There is no direct connection between the interview of al-Hayya and the Iranian attack, but it does highlight the volatile situation that prevails in the Middle East, as external actors are not reluctant to enter the fray between Israel and Palestine.

Iran has long been a strong supporter of Hamas, both in terms of money and weapons as well as political support; the missile attack by Iran can be seen in the broader geopolitical dynamics of which the reaction to the ongoing violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups is likely to be a part.

Middle East Implications
The attacks of 7 October combined with Israel’s retaliatory strikes thereafter have once again thrust the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back into global consciousness. Al-Hayya said his organisation wanted to give a point of purpose behind the attacks in order to re-ignite international attention over the Palestinian statehood issue, which matches the Hamas tactic with shock tactics meant to shape global discourse.

The strategy however has cost thousands on both sides, and communities completely erased. Things are taking an increasingly worse turn over there, as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens. The areas, after those Israeli airstrikes, were left utterly devastated, further complicating things for peace efforts.

Al-Hayya’s statements, which were reflections of Hamas’ stance, could not garner much sympathy in the international world. Most governments do not support Hamas as it is going to be a destabilizing element in that area. The future peace negotiations might get complicated due to their refusal to renounce violence.

Conclusion: A Deepening Conflict with No End in Sight
Khalil al-Hayya’s apology for the 7 October attacks illustrates the divisions running deep in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Hamas rationalizes its outrageous acts as necessary for the Palestinian cause, the price of those actions keeps going up. With Iran now at the pot, and tensions spiking across the region, peace seems farther away than ever.

The Hamas stance on Palestinian statehood remains undeterred, and it has no intention of calling off its violent resistance. While regional players like Iran continue to step up involvement, peace prospects do not seem bright with every passing death count. In an interview with Jeremy Bowen,.

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