 "Civilians walk in al-Mughraqa in the central Gaza Strip, on February 13, 2025, as displaced people move towards the northern parts of Gaza during a current ceasefire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas. Image- AFP")
As Hamas celebrates its “victory” over Israel in the Gaza war, one of the group’s senior officials thinks otherwise and has expressed dissatisfaction over the October 7 attacks. The head of Hamas’ foreign relations office, Mousa Abu Marzouk, has revealed that he would not have supported the Palestinian terror group’s assault plan if he had known the destruction it caused to Gaza.
Talking to the New York Times, Marzouk said, “If it was expected that what happened would happen, there wouldn’t have been Oct. 7,” adding that the consequences of the attack would have made it “impossible” for him to back it.
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal is on its last leg and talks on the second phase are still in limbo.
Will Hamas discuss the future of its weapons in Gaza?
Marzouk also indicated that some members of Hamas might be open to negotiating the group’s armed presence in Gaza—an issue that has been a major obstacle in talks with Israel—though other Hamas leaders have opposed this stance.
Analysts suggest that reaching a compromise could help both sides prevent a resurgence of the conflict. Israel has stated that it seeks the dismantling of Hamas’ military capabilities.
“We are ready to speak about every issue. Any issue that is put on the table, we need to speak about it,” the Hamas official said.
Marzouk also stated that Hamas was willing to release all hostages simultaneously, provided that Israel agreed to free thousands of Palestinian prisoners, end the war, and withdraw from Gaza.
‘Hamas’ survival against Israel is a victory’
The top Hamas official said that the group’s survival against Israeli forces is “a kind of victory”. He, however, said that it is “unacceptable” for Hamas to claim victory owing to the large-scale destruction the war has caused to Gaza.
“We’re talking about a party that lost control of itself and took revenge against everything. hat is not a victory under any circumstances," he said referring to Israel.