Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk expressed regret over the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, saying that he would not have supported the operation had he foreseen the extensive devastation it would bring to the Gaza Strip.
The assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals in Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages, leading to a prolonged conflict that has significantly impacted Gaza’s infrastructure and population.
In an interview with The New York Times, Marzouk, head of Hamas’s foreign relations office, stated that the political leaders were unaware of the full scope and timing of the attack, as operational details were managed by the military wing.
“If it was expected that what happened would happen, there wouldn’t have been October 7,” Abu Marzouk was quoted as saying.
In the interview, Abu Marzouk also said he was open to discussing the potential disarmament of the terror group in Gaza, saying: “We are ready to speak about every issue.” However, he declined to answer specific questions about what a compromise on disarmament might look like.
In a statement, Hamas said Abu Marzouk’s comments were “incorrect and taken out of context.”
The terror group attributed the destruction in Gaza to Israeli aggression. “The occupation’s aggressive and destructive behavior is the cause of the destruction in Gaza,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said. “The October 7 epic marks a strategic turning point in the Palestinian national struggle.”
Qassem also rejected Marzouk’s statement on Hamas’ potential withdrawal of arms.
“We hold onto our resistance weapon as a legitimate right, and what was attributed to Moussa Abu Marzouk does not represent the movement’s stance,” Qassem said. “Resistance in all its forms is a legitimate right for our people until liberation and return.”
In January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire following 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which involves the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, is set to end on March 1, with Phase 2 remaining uncertain.
Last Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages but Israel suspended the handover of over 600 Palestinians it was set to free from its prisons in exchange, putting the five-week-old ceasefire agreement in jeopardy once again.
In a statement on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “In light of Hamas’ repeated violations – including the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda – it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday [Saturday] until the release of the next hostages is ensured, without the humiliating ceremonies.”
