Hamas Marks October 7 Anniversary And Says Israel Failed To Eliminate Group

Hamas has marked the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, describing the operation as a major milestone in the Palestinian struggle. The group said Israel had failed to eliminate Hamas and other armed groups and claimed that nearly 1,500 Palestinians had been killed and more than 5,000 wounded since the ceasefire began about a year ago. Hamas said it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement, called for international legal action over alleged crimes in Gaza and reaffirmed its support for Palestinian self determination and an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Hamas has marked the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, describing the operation as a "historic milestone" in what it calls the Palestinian people's struggle against Israel.
In a statement published on its official Telegram channel, the Palestinian armed group said the attacks, which it named "Al Aqsa Flood", were the result of decades of Israeli occupation, restrictions and military action.
The anniversary comes as the war in Gaza continues to shape the political and security situation in the Middle East, with the future of the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of its terms remaining major issues for both sides.

HAMAS DEFENDS OCTOBER 7 ATTACKS

Hamas described the October 7 operation as an important turning point in the Palestinian struggle.
The attacks began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel, killing civilians and Israeli security personnel and taking hostages.
Israel responded with a major military campaign in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas and recovering the hostages.
The conflict has since resulted in extensive destruction and a large number of deaths and injuries in Gaza, while the October 7 attacks and subsequent hostage taking have continued to shape Israeli political and security policy.

HAMAS SAYS ISRAEL FAILED TO ELIMINATE THE GROUP

In its anniversary statement, Hamas said Israel had failed to eliminate the group and other Palestinian armed organisations despite the military campaign in Gaza.
Hamas also described Israel's military actions as a genocidal war, an allegation Israel rejects.
The group said the conflict had not achieved its stated objective of removing Hamas as a major force in Gaza.
The question of whether Hamas can retain a political or military role in Gaza remains one of the most difficult issues surrounding efforts to establish a lasting settlement.

GROUP REPORTS THOUSANDS KILLED SINCE CEASEFIRE

Hamas said nearly 1,500 Palestinians had been killed and more than 5,000 wounded since the ceasefire began about a year ago.
Those figures are claims made by Hamas and are part of its account of the post ceasefire period.
The group said the continued deaths and injuries demonstrate the need for the ceasefire arrangements to be fully implemented and for further military escalation to be prevented.

HAMAS SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO HONOUR CEASEFIRE OBLIGATIONS

Hamas said it remains committed to carrying out its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
The group said it was working with mediators to support the agreement and ensure that its provisions are implemented.
It also called on the United States and the countries acting as guarantors of the agreement to put pressure on Israel to fulfil its commitments and follow the agreed roadmap.
The statement highlights the difficult role of mediators, who must deal with competing demands while trying to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing.

HAMAS CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ACTION

Hamas also called on the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to pursue Israeli officials over alleged crimes committed in Gaza.
The two international courts have different roles. The International Criminal Court deals with individual criminal responsibility for certain serious international crimes, while the International Court of Justice handles disputes between states and certain proceedings concerning international legal obligations.
Hamas has urged both institutions to continue examining allegations linked to the war.
Israel has rejected accusations of genocide and other alleged violations and has defended its military campaign as an effort to protect its population and defeat Hamas.

GROUP CALLS FOR GREATER INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE

Hamas urged Arab and Muslim majority countries, as well as the wider international community, to increase pressure aimed at ending the war and supporting Palestinians.
The group said international pressure should focus on protecting Palestinian civilians and addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
The war has created major humanitarian challenges in Gaza, including widespread destruction and disruption to essential services.

HAMAS CALLS FOR A UNIFIED PALESTINIAN STRATEGY

The group also said it was working towards a unified Palestinian national strategy to confront what it described as plans by the Israeli government.
Hamas reaffirmed its support for Palestinian self determination and for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The future political structure of Gaza and the wider question of Palestinian statehood remain central to international discussions about a possible long term resolution to the conflict.

OCTOBER 7 CONTINUES TO SHAPE THE CONFLICT

Three years after the October 7 attacks, the events of that day continue to influence the political and security landscape in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
For Israelis, the attacks remain associated with the deaths of civilians and security personnel and the taking of hostages.
For Palestinians, the subsequent war has brought widespread destruction, displacement and loss of life in Gaza.
The competing experiences and political demands of both populations remain at the centre of efforts to establish a durable ceasefire and determine what comes next.