The most senior leader of Hamas outside the Gaza Strip told the BBC that the crisis his organization unleashed in the Middle East, which claimed thousands of lives across the region last year, was justified.
Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya, challenged by BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen, denied overwhelming evidence that Hamas fighters had targeted civilians during the October 7 attack last year.
About 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the UK and other governments.
Al Hayyah said the attack on October 7 last year was necessary to put the issue of Palestinian statehood back on the global agenda.
Otherwise, the cycle of violence in the Middle East will never end, he said.
Asked whether he regretted the Israeli offensive that killed more than 40,000 Gaza residents, he said Israel’s occupation of land that Palestinians believe is theirs is the root of violence and killings in the Middle East.
Al Haya is the most senior Hamas official after its leader, Yahya Sinwar, who is believed to be in the Gaza Strip.
The interview was conducted in Doha, where most of Hamas’ political leaders live. Iran attacked Israel with a ballistic missile about an hour after the interview was recorded.
