7 Oct, 2024: Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya, speaking to the BBC, described the October 7 attack as a signal to the world about Israel’s occupation. Al-Hayya, a key Hamas figure based outside Gaza, explained that the attack was a way to emphasize the Palestinian cause and longstanding grievances, asserting that it highlighted the extent of Palestinian suffering under occupation.
In his Doha interview with BBC’s Jeremy Bowen, al-Hayya claimed that no orders had been given to target civilians. He stated that while some fighters might have felt threatened, the organization does not condone harm to non-combatants.
Reflecting on the conflict that followed, which has left large parts of Gaza in ruins, al-Hayya said the violence underscored the need for international recognition of Palestinian rights. He emphasized that Israel’s actions had led to the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians and wounded close to 100,000 others. Gaza’s infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, impacting civilians severely.
According to al-Hayya, Hamas is not seeking to escalate the conflict but wants Israel to acknowledge Palestinian rights. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the conflict and criticized Israel’s refusal to recognize either a one-state or two-state solution, disregarding international law and resolutions. He concluded by saying that if the world were to grant Palestinians their legitimate rights, the cycle of violence would cease.
The Hamas official, who sustained a foot injury in an attack that killed other Hamas leaders, reiterated that the ongoing conflict can only end with a shift in Israeli policy and international intervention.