Ali Baraka, who heads Hamas’ foreign political office, rejected the notion that Iran helped plan or approved the assault in Israel. In a statement carried by the Associated Press, Baraka said Iranian officials did not assist or consent to the attack at the Beirut meeting held last week. He also stressed that no Hamas leadership figures traveled to Beirut during that period.
On the morning of October 7, Israel faced a large-scale rocket barrage from the Gaza Strip. Hamas militants then penetrated southern Israel after a series of rockets were launched. In response to Israel’s Operation Iron Sword against Hamas in Gaza, Hamas announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the country is at war and has mobilized reserves. The Israeli military is carrying out efforts to clear settlements in affected areas.
The al-Qassam Brigades, the militant wing of Hamas, claimed it had captured dozens of Israeli soldiers and officers. Later, Hamas Politburo member Musa Abu Marzouk reported that more than 100 Israeli citizens, including high-ranking military officials, were said to be held captive in the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing conflict stems from longstanding competition for territorial control between Palestinians and Israelis. The issue traces back to the 1947 UN plan to create two states, Israel and Palestine, with substantial involvement from the Soviet Union. While Israel was established, the Palestinian statehood project has faced persistent barriers, limiting the full realization of its claims on the lands described in the partition plan.
In remarks tied to the crisis, former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated that residents of the Gaza Strip were being evacuated as part of security operations.