In the midst of the escalating conflict between Hamas soldiers and Israeli forces, Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi has delivered a statement to Al Jazeera, shedding light on the group’s motivations for the military operation.
Qadomi emphasized that this operation is a response to the decades-long atrocities faced by Palestinians, including the ongoing situation in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinian people, as well as concerns regarding the sanctity of holy sites such as Al-Aqsa mosque.
“We want the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa. All these things are the reason behind starting this battle,” Qadomi stated, underscoring the urgency of addressing these longstanding grievances.
Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military commander, issued a resolute statement, declaring, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth.”
Deif revealed that Hamas had launched a substantial number of rockets, totaling 5,000, in this operation. He urged individuals with access to firearms to join the cause, emphasizing that the time for action had come, as reported by various sources.
Hamas has also issued a call for solidarity and unity in their statement, urging “the resistance fighters in the West Bank” and appealing to “our Arab and Islamic nations” to join in the battle.
This call for broader participation highlights the seriousness of the situation and the group’s determination to garner support from a wider regional context.
The conflict has garnered international attention and concern, with ongoing rocket attacks and confrontations on both sides. The statements from Hamas leadership provide insight into their perspective and motivations as the situation continues to unfold.
International efforts to mediate and de-escalate the situation are expected to intensify in the coming days as the conflict persists. The global community is closely monitoring developments in the region, with a focus on achieving a sustainable resolution to the crisis.
At least 22 Israelis have been killed, local media said, quoting emergency services. More than 500 Israelis have been injured, Reuters quoted the country’s health ministry as saying.
At least four Palestinians have been killed and five are wounded in confrontations between the Israeli army and Palestinian groups in the border area of the Gaza Strip, Anadolu news agency said.
