Hamas Launches Preemptive Strike on October 7 to Safeguard Palestinian Rights
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Ezz al-Din al-Hadad, a prominent member of the Military Council of the al-Qassam Brigades, shared insights regarding the October 7 operation, which he described as a direct response to Israel’s intensified blockade on the Gaza Strip and its plans for a ground invasion. This military action highlights the ongoing conflict and the dire situation faced by the people of Gaza.
Hadad emphasized the severity of the blockade, stating, “Here in Gaza, the siege was systematically tightened to subject our people to slow death. We could not stand idly by or merely observe.” He articulated that supporting their Prophet (PBUH) has always been a central tenet of their resistance. The al-Aqsa Flood operation was deemed necessary to counter what he called the enemy’s systematic plans through a significant preemptive strike in defense of their sanctities, people, and resistance.
He further criticized the Israeli regime for attempting to “deceive” the Resistance movement by marginally improving living conditions in Gaza while neglecting the plight of those in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds. Hadad stated, “We warned that this reality could not be tolerated or accepted,” reinforcing the notion that Israel’s tactics only strengthened their resolve to pursue military options after diplomatic efforts had failed.
In discussing the preparations leading up to the October 7 operation, Hadad revealed that Hamas’s military leadership had been engaged in continuous sessions since October 1, strategizing for the upcoming attack. He detailed the meticulous planning involved:
- Linking command and control rooms to a central operations room.
- Mobilizing troops assigned to execute the operation.
- Ensuring combat support weapons were on high alert until the early hours of October 7.
Hadad said, “Our attack was meticulously coordinated with the maneuvers our fighters had trained for.” He described how, at the designated time, their rocket salvos, drone swarms, and naval units worked in unison with elite al-Qassam infantry to breach the separation barrier. “By God’s grace, the barrier collapsed at the hands of engineering unit fighters in a breathtaking scene under divine protection,” he added.
Praising the operation as an “astonishing success,” Hadad noted that, despite the scale of the operation, the enemy was completely unprepared and failed to gather intelligence on the impending attack. He commended the fighters for their exceptional skills, courage, and adherence to high ethical standards during the operation.
When discussing conditions for ending the ongoing Gaza war, Hadad stated, “The occupation leadership, which relies on the power of America and the West, will have no choice but to comply with our just demands.” These demands include:
- Stopping the aggression against Gaza.
- Withdrawing completely from the Gaza Strip.
- Releasing prisoners held in Israeli jails, particularly those serving life sentences.
- Lifting the siege on Gaza.
- Initiating reconstruction efforts in the devastated territory.
The toll of the ongoing conflict has been devastating, with reports indicating that Israel has killed at least 47,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, while injuring over 111,000 others since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023. Additionally, countless individuals remain missing, presumed dead under the rubble.
After failing to achieve its stated goals in Gaza, Israel was compelled to agree to a ceasefire, which commenced on January 19. This ceasefire was celebrated by Palestinians as a significant victory, with around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli captives held in Gaza.
As the situation evolves, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to demand urgent attention, with the international community closely monitoring developments.
