Hamas spokesman: Attack on Israeli citizens "fake story"; "Israel has no right to exist".
By Curt_Anderson October 17, 2023 11:46 am Category: News (0.0 from 0 votes)
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(Audio includes complete interview and commentary)
(NPR)The group's surprise attack targeted a music festival, where militants killed more than 200 people and sent young people fleeing into bomb shelters.
"This is a fake story. This is a fake story. Hundred percent," Hamad said.
Multiple eyewitnesses and video recordings have confirmed the attack on the festival. Some attendees are also among those being held hostage.
Hamad spoke to NPR's Steve Inskeep for Morning Edition from inside Gaza. He didn't disclose a specific location.
Of that attack, which started this latest conflict, Hamad said: "We want to get the attention of the world. We are under oppression and torture and collective punishment all the time. That's our message for the world."
The Israeli military says Hamas is "responsible for the humanitarian consequences" of the violence and chaos that followed last weekend's attack.
As for the hostages taken by Hamas, Hamad claimed they were providing the nearly 200 people with shelter and protection.
Those hostages include some military personnel, children and one Holocaust survivor, Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said early Tuesday morning during a briefing on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Hamad said Hamas would not release hostages: "But it is a war. No. Our priority now is to stop aggression and death on Gaza."
Hamad said he is more concerned with Palestinian civilians than with hostages.
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