Striking statement from Hamas political leader Khaled Mashal: We also learned about the operation from the television

The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues with intensity on its eighth day. Khaled Mashal, one of the political leaders of Hamas, spoke to Mehmet Akif Ersoy from Habertürk TV.

Answering the question of whether they were aware in advance of the 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operation launched by Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, against Israel on October 7, Khaled Mashal stated, "Information regarding the field is distributed according to expertise. There are military resistance brigades. They receive the plans regarding the field. Political decisions, however, are subject to our leadership. What happened on October 7 was related to those on the ground. It was within the general strategy of the Hamas movement. It was a step towards liberation from the occupation."

'WE DID NOT KNOW WHO DID IT AT FIRST'

Responding to Ersoy's question, "They killed civilians, and what were you doing when this news reached you?", Mashal said:

"I was alone, I had just come out of morning prayer. The news arrived and the television channels shared it, and that is how we were informed. At first, we did not know who carried it out, and later we learned the details ourselves. Afterwards, Hamas members were called to a meeting."

Answering the question, "So you learned about this operation from the television?", Khaled Mashal said, "Yes, that is how we learned. Of course, this is a major event. We are following it, and we are proud, we are honored. The event did not just start; the event started in 1948. Everything that happened was an occupation."

'RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS SAY DO NOT KILL THE ELDERLY, WOMEN, OR CHILDREN'

Khaled Mashal gave the following response to Mehmet Akif Ersoy's question, "You killed civilians and the whole world says you committed a terrorist act. Why did you kill people from more than 30 different countries who came to the festivals?":

"The military belief of the Al-Qassam Brigades is this: To fight until the occupation is driven from these lands. There was preparation related to this. This operation began with the attack on the Gaza section. We saw that Israel was saying it was the invincible, strongest army.

When it was defeated in a few hours, we were also surprised. The Al-Qassam movement entered inside, they entered the field within a few hours. Do not kill the elderly, women, and children; these are religious teachings."

'NO, THEY DID NOT KILL'

Mashal responded to Ersoy's interjection, "But they did kill...", as follows:

"No, they did not kill. Such situations happen during war. Didn't Israel also say? We killed our own soldier by mistake.

Underlying the Al-Qassam Brigades was protecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, freeing those in prison, and reclaiming our lands.

There has been no intentional killing of civilians on our part. However, Israel is committing massacres everywhere. Israel is an entity prone to killing civilians.

Opposite us is the US, which possesses every technology. It has killed many civilians; the West forgets this and focuses on the unintentional mistakes of the other side. But there are also those killed by the Israelis. The belief that if you lose a captive to the enemy, you should kill that person as well, exists among the Israelis."

'YOU CANNOT EQUATE A FOREIGN OCCUPIER WITH THE PEOPLE'

Other highlights from the interview with Mashal...

People say that Hamas did not resemble Israel until today, but now it has killed. When you kill, did you become like Israel?

No, there is a big difference. We are the owners of this homeland. You cannot equate a foreign occupier with the people. When an enemy comes from outside, whether they kill soldiers or civilians, they are the enemy. Everyone who comes to my country is an enemy, a criminal. I am the owner of these lands.

They want to demonize Hamas, they want to demonize Palestine. Because the West and the US use double standards, because they are hypocritical, they are trying to offer Israel whatever it wants. Why are they giving missiles to Israel? To destroy mosques, hospitals, to drop them on Palestinian people.

WHY OCTOBER 7?

There are allegations of cooperation between Hamas and Mossad. They protect their own security, they say how could Hamas enter?

Hamas emerged in 1987. When it grew, when its courage emerged, when it went down in history, they realized it.

Those accustomed to defeat cannot even dream of victory. They say Israel was not actually defeated, it agreed to it; these are excuses to find a reason for Israel's defeat. The Israelis created such legends that it is thought they win every war they enter. Israel wants to show itself as an invincible power. However, history shows us that history shows the defeat of occupiers.

Why this time?

The spark for this was Israel's recent policies. The reason for the fire on October 7 was this: Israel played with fire. Someone is playing with fire.

The Israeli army, the government, radical groups, and settlers are acting as a group to realize Israel's agenda. Our brothers in Gaza saw that the Al-Aqsa Mosque was in danger. Therefore, the Al-Qassam Brigades took this step. In summary, I tell you: Everything the Palestinian people have done is because of the occupation. There are other reasons too: injustices, arrests, attacks. Our Palestinian people are a faithful, believing people.

'COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ATTACK'

You said you had no information. So, did Iran or Hezbollah or any other country know?

Let me answer clearly and definitively. The decisions taken are decisions taken entirely in Palestine, they are Hamas's decisions. Countries in the region had no knowledge of the attack.

What will Hamas do if a ground operation begins?

Israel is currently taking revenge on our civilian population in Gaza because it was defeated. A cowardly enemy only takes revenge on civilians. They are trying to evacuate Gaza of its people, which is a genocide. They think this will weaken Hamas, will weaken our people.

In Vietnam, 3.5 million people died. They committed genocide in Algeria. What happened? Algeria won, Vietnam won.

We have 1,500 martyrs, 500 of them children. The world must stand against the crimes committed against civilians. I have great respect for Turkey. Turkey must say stop to Israel's crimes. It must say stop to the cutting of electricity and water. The people of Gaza will not migrate from there. No matter what happens. We expect Turkey and Islamic countries to hold an Islamic Summit.

News Source: 12punto