Overview

• In a CNN interview, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad defended the October 7, 2023 assault that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to more than 250 hostages being taken, calling it a strategic boost for the Palestinian cause.
• Hamad refused responsibility for Gaza’s civilian toll, saying the price is high but unavoidable, while Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 65,000 people have been killed in Israel’s campaign.
• He denied that Hamas uses hostages as human shields and rejected allegations of sexual abuse, and he did not commit to Red Cross access, citing a complicated situation.
• Hamad said Hamas will not disarm, described its armed wing as a legitimate resistance force, and suggested its weapons would be folded into a Palestinian army if a state were formed.
• Coverage also highlighted internal anger toward Hamas inside Gaza and reports of harsh reprisals against critics, as Israel said it killed Hamas commander Wael Matria in an airstrike in Gaza City.